Ahead of the opening of the Osaka-Kansai Expo, which will soon be a year away, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Saito met with the head of the BIE (Exposition International Bureau), who is visiting Japan. He expressed his intention to accelerate support for construction and interior work.
Approximately 50 countries intend to exhibit at the Osaka/Kansai Expo using a method called Type A, in which they build their own pavilions, but due to rising material costs and labor shortages,
only 36 countries have decided on a construction company.
▽Construction has started in only 12 countries.
Under these circumstances, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Saito was visiting Japan and met with Secretary General Kerkentzes of the BIE, which is headquartered in Paris.
During the meeting, Minister Saito said, ``This weekend marks one year until the World Expo is held.In addition to the pending construction of overseas pavilions, we are also working on support for interior design and exhibitions. We will further accelerate preparations for the event."
In response, Director-General Kerkentzes stated that preparations for the overseas pavilion are progressing smoothly, and added, ``We will continue to provide our full support.I am confident that the preparations will proceed very smoothly.'' "Yes," I replied.