Regarding the Osaka/Kansai Expo, Minister of Economic Security Takaichi is calling for the postponement or reduction of the Expo in light of the Noto Peninsula earthquake, and Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi responded to information that preparations for the Expo would hinder reconstruction. He stated that the two countries are not in close contact with each other, and expressed his intention to hold the event as scheduled.
On his YouTube channel, Minister of Economic Security Takaichi asked Prime Minister Kishida on the 16th of this month to prioritize the recovery and reconstruction of the Noto Peninsula earthquake and, in some cases, postpone or downsize next year's Osaka/Kansai Expo. We have made it clear that we have asked you to consider it.
Regarding this, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi said at a morning press conference, ``I have not received any information that the procurement of materials related to the Expo will cause any concrete obstacles to the reconstruction of Noto.I am aware that there is a need to delay the opening of the Expo.'' No,” he said.
``We will continue to closely monitor the supply and demand of materials, etc., and work to ensure that the procurement of construction work related to the Expo does not hinder reconstruction,'' he said, indicating his intention to hold the event as scheduled.
When asked by reporters whether Minister Takaichi's remarks were a disagreement within the Cabinet, he replied, ``The purpose of his remarks was to ensure that there would be no hindrance to reconstruction.It is the government's policy to work in this manner, so the Cabinet I don't see it as a discrepancy."