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In August 1945, Mr. Isao Nakauchi, then a Japanese military officer, witnessed the end of World War II. Solely surviving the devastating losses his unit suffered against the United States, he carried the burden of being the lone survivor, a catalyst that inspired him to revolutionize the retail industry.

Nakauchi’s philosophy was grounded in the belief that consumers, not manufacturers, should determine product prices. This principle led him to implement an aggressive low-cost strategy, sparking a retail revolution in Japan and reflecting a significant shift in post-war societal values.

Nakauchi’s former residence in Ashiya (ASHYA ROYAL HOMES) , Hyogo Prefecture, was transformed into a luxury housing area for expatriates, a location I frequently facilitated for foreign rental clients.

Mr. Suzuki, the dedicated property manager, devoted his life to Mr. Nakauchi. Even after Nakauchi’s passing, Suzuki meticulously maintained the property, providing exceptional service in English to foreign residents. He continued this dedication until his retirement.

The journey of Mr. Nakauchi, from a military officer to a business magnate, illustrates the profound impact war veterans had on Japan’s post-war economy. His enterprise, Daiei Supermarkets, known as “Housewives’ Friend Daiei”, garnered immense support from Japanese housewives eager to minimize household expenses.

As we approach Expo2025, we at Dios are re-evaluating our supply chain to provide our international clientele with the highest quality at the most affordable prices. Our strategy is to offer services with a dual approach of high value and low cost.

#WWII #PostWarJapan #RetailRevolution #Daiei #JapaneseEconomy #BusinessInnovation #ConsumerEmpowerment #LegacyOfIsaoNakauchi #HistoricalImpact #TransformationalLeadership #Expo2025 #AffordableSolutions #SupplyChainInnovation

As we approach the festive season, the Ritz-Carlton Osaka has once again adorned its lobby with a magnificent Christmas tree. However, the festive atmosphere contrasts sharply with the current status of foreign pavilions for Expo 2025. As of Christmas 2023, not a single foreign pavilion has commenced construction.

The delay in construction of foreign pavilions has been attributed to several factors:

1. Rising costs of building materials.
2. Shortage of skilled labor.
3. Language barriers between Japanese and foreign teams.

Yet, construction experts point out another critical issue that has not been widely acknowledged:

4. The presence of numerous intermediaries between foreign governments and Japanese general contractors, hindering direct communication.

This last point is particularly troubling. It appears that multiple brokers are involved, creating a bottleneck in the construction process.

From my experience, this is not limited to construction. Similar intermediary dynamics are observed in other aspects of Expo preparations. These brokers, hailing from both Japan and abroad, often lack the necessary expertise and seem more focused on their commissions than facilitating the construction process.

If these intermediaries are not acting as catalysts but rather as obstacles, delaying the construction, it raises a significant concern. Shouldn’t we consider removing these brokers to streamline the process? The situation calls for direct and efficient communication channels, eliminating unnecessary middlemen to ensure timely construction and preparation for the Expo.

#Expo2025 #ConstructionDelays #IntermediaryChallenges #DirectCommunication #PavilionConstruction #GlobalCollaboration #EfficientManagement

This November we anticipate finalizing a rental agreement for a condominium to accommodate the housing needs of international professionals working on the construction of pavilions for Expo 2025.

Our recent experiences have highlighted the substantial barriers that foreign nationals face when securing rental properties in Japan, from language discrepancies to complex legal understandings and differing real estate practices.

We are navigating these challenges with compassion and dedication, ensuring that contracts meet the rigorous standards required by international governments, including translating documents from Japanese into English and other languages.

We’re committed to not just facilitating a process but ensuring a smooth transition into a new home for those shaping the future of Expo 2025.

#Expo2025 #GlobalHousing #RealEstateJapan #HousingSolutions #InternationalProfessionals #LegalTranslation #CulturalIntegration #PropertyLeasing #InnovativeHousing #ExpatLifeJapan #CrossCulturalCollaboration #RealEstateChallenges

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to engage in a conversation with a diplomat from a consulate in Osaka. As November beckons, they are set to negotiate contracts with Japanese construction firms for Expo 2025. However, they shared a pressing concern: a shortage of construction workers is looming as a potential hurdle.

The diplomat’s revelation was telling—it seems the intricacies and challenges discussed among Japan’s construction experts are not fully communicated to foreign pavilion stakeholders. There’s an unsettling silence on the cost estimates for liquefaction and ground improvement measures for Yumeshima’s terrain, with no clear insights offered to date.

Before the arrival of international visitors, it is likely that prolonged negotiations have occurred between Osaka’s dominant political force, the Osaka Ishin no Kai, and Japanese construction firms. While politics push for the realization of the Expo and a casino on Yumeshima, technical difficulties suggest a stalemate, with the two sides on parallel tracks.

In response, it appears that the Osaka Ishin no Kai sought the intervention of the central government, leading to political deals between just the two parties.

In striving to maintain political dominance, we witness a divergence: the insistence on political agendas overshadows the realities of technically challenging construction projects. It’s crucial for all involved stakeholders to be apprised of these underlying issues to ensure the success and safety of the upcoming world event.

Let’s bring these discussions to the forefront to facilitate a successful and sustainable Expo 2025.

#Expo2025 #OsakaExpo #ConstructionChallenges #GlobalDiplomacy #Infrastructure #JapanesePolitics #TechnicalFeasibility #InternationalCooperation #SustainableDevelopment #YumeshimaProject

Recent reports have indicated that the construction costs for Expo 2025 Osaka have surged by 1.8 times, yet this figure reportedly excludes the substantial costs for liquefaction and ground improvement measures for the Yumeshima site. Remarkably, there seems to be no available estimates for these significant geotechnical interventions.

As we prepare to welcome visitors from around the world, our hope is to offer them a delightful experience in Japan.

For example The grounds of Osaka Castle are likely among the best in Osaka, chosen by Toyotomi Hideyoshi 400 years ago after meticulous evaluation. It’s not just the optimal transportation access or the safety of the land that makes it special, but also its appeal to both locals and tourists.

With construction already underway in Yumeshima, perhaps we could entertain the idea of a hybrid approach to the Expo. Utilizing Osaka Castle Park or other suitable sites could alleviate land shortages and might even reduce ticket prices, making the event more accessible and enticing to a broader audience.

#Expo2025 #Osaka #ConstructionCosts #GeotechnicalEngineering #Liquefaction #GroundImprovement #SustainableDevelopment #CommunityEngagement #TourismJapan #CulturalEvents #OsakaCastlePark #Accessibility #Affordability #GlobalExpo #InfrastructureInnovation #EventPlanning #PublicInterest

Recently, I came across an excerpt from the “Pavilion Type A (Site Handover Method) Design Guidelines,” distributed to foreign pavilion construction teams by the organizers of Expo 2025. The document includes detailed cross-sectional diagrams addressing the geotechnical issues of Yumeshima.

The guidelines openly acknowledge that the ground in Yumeshima is prone to subsidence. Two mitigation strategies are mentioned, but their feasibility appears questionable. This level of detail suggests that the ground conditions of Yumeshima have been well understood among experts for some time.

On the other hand, In the last few days, the Governor of Osaka Prefecture and the Minister for the Expo held press conferences broadcasted on Japanese TV. They addressed the nation about the Expo’s construction costs, which have soared to 1.8 times the initial budget. The explanations provided were confined to two factors:

1. The surging prices of building materials.
2. The escalating wages of construction workers.

Interestingly, there was a notable absence of questions from reporters and subsequent answers during the lengthy press conferences. Moreover, there was no mention of the challenges pertaining to Yumeshima’s ground conditions and logistics.

#Expo2025 #PavilionConstruction #GeotechnicalEngineering #Yumeshima #GroundSubsidence #ConstructionChallenges #EngineeringSolutions #SustainableDesign #InfrastructureDevelopment #UrbanPlanning #ExpoOsaka2025 #InternationalEventPlanning #GlobalExhibitionStandards #ConstructionGuidelines #EngineeringInsights

As we eagerly anticipate the upcoming Osaka Expo 2025, there’s a unique logistical challenge that has caught my attention—the single bridge that connects us to the Yumeshima Expo site. 🌉

To add another layer of complexity, this bridge is retractable to allow for large ships to pass through. Essentially, it’s floating on the water, meaning it can only handle so much weight before it becomes unstable. 🚢

#Expo2025 #OsakaExpo #EngineeringMarvels #FloatingBridge #LogisticalChallenges #TrafficPlanning #CulturalExchange #InnovativeSolutions #GlobalGathering #Yumeshima

I decided to explore the ‘floating foundations’ in greater detail. The photo attached below provides an excerpt from the official Expo Pavilion Construction Guidelines, which state:

1. Excavate the part of the ground that will serve as the foundation for the building. Let’s call the weight of the excavated soil ‘W.’
2. Install the Pavilion in the excavated cavity. The weight of the Pavilion is denoted as ‘P.’
3. Make sure that ‘P’ weighs less than ‘W,’ implying that if you construct a building lighter than the soil you’ve removed, it won’t sink.

However, adhering to these guidelines may result in ground subsidence. The reason is straightforward: there is no ‘buoyancy’ at play. Reports indicate that the Yumeshima area features a 3-meter mound of soil atop a soft clay layer. For buoyancy to function effectively—much like how a ship stays afloat—the object must reach a depth where buoyancy comes into effect.

Interestingly, the Expo guidelines explicitly mention: ‘Do not dig deeper than 2.5 meters.’ This means the Pavilion won’t extend into the clay layer that would allow for buoyancy.

In conclusion, the Pavilion is destined to sink if built according to these guidelines. The assumption that ‘if P is less than W, the ground won’t sink’ is fundamentally flawed.

#Expo2025 #ConstructionChallenges #FloatingFoundations #PavilionConstruction #GroundSubsidence #EngineeringDilemmas

Expo 2025 is around the corner, and it promises to be a tremendous occasion for international cultural exchange, with people from over 150 countries descending on Osaka for a span of six months. 🌏

One of my company’s wonderful female staff members has a nostalgic connection to the 1970 Osaka Expo. As a young woman, she took a part-time job at the Canadian Pavilion. She was so well-regarded by the Pavilion Director that he invited her to visit Canada, a trip she fondly remembers to this day. 🇨🇦🇯🇵

She’s now over 70, a grandmother, and still speaks with excitement about her youth and the indelible memories formed during that 1970 Expo. The experience influenced her profoundly, encouraging her to learn English, meet her future husband, who worked for Singapore Airlines, and even live abroad. ✈️

Fast forward to 2023, and she’s bringing that international flair to her work as a housekeeper for diplomats at the Osaka Consulate in my company. At 70+, she still comes alive when providing services to international clients.

As we look forward to Expo 2025, I wish for nothing less than a similarly transformative and enriching experience for all those who will participate.

#Expo2025 #OsakaExpo #CulturalExchange #LifeChangingMoments #InspirationalStories #CanadaPavilion #JapanCanadaFriendship #InternationalCareerPaths #DiplomaticRelations #EnrichingExperiences #CommunityBuilding

In the spirit of warmth and respect, we would like to address an important aspect of Expo 2025. The construction and operation of pavilions from various countries will involve the hard work of many international staff members, who will require suitable living accommodations. As such, there is a considerable demand for furnished service apartments.

We aim to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the real estate market in Osaka, with a specific focus on furnished housing. We will also delve into how the market is responding to the unique needs of international residents. It’s a fascinating intersection of culture, comfort, and practicality, and we are excited to explore this topic with you.

Please join us as we navigate this dynamic landscape, in anticipation of the truly international gathering that is Expo 2025. We are committed to fostering a sense of community and ensuring that all those who join us from abroad feel welcomed and well-accommodated.