Japan's Expo 2025 revives memories of Tokyo Olympics' cost blowout
Briefly

Expo 2025 in Osaka commenced amidst challenges, including disappointing ticket sales and soaring costs, unsettling organizers. Despite rain, crowds welcomed the event designed by architect Sou Fujimoto, featuring over 160 countries and technological wonders. Japanese officials, including Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, underscored the Expo's significance for global unity in addressing crises. Nonetheless, ticket sales fell short of the projected 14 million, severely impacting revenue expectations. Construction costs nearly doubled estimates, drawing parallels with the financial struggles of the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, raising questions about future profitability.
Despite facing challenges like weak ticket sales and ballooning costs, Expo 2025 in Osaka highlights global collaboration as key to overcoming contemporary crises and exploring new technologies.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba emphasized the importance of gathering people globally to discuss life's themes and showcase technological advances during the Expo's opening.
The event's opening has generated considerable controversy due to poor ticket sales, with only nine million tickets sold against a target of 14 million, raising concerns over financial viability.
Growing construction costs have also been significant, with expenses nearly doubling from the initial estimate, mirroring concerns seen during the costly Tokyo 2021 Olympics.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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