November 2023

As the 2025 Osaka Expo approaches, there is growing concern that the construction of pavilions may not be completed in time. The potential for rushed organization raises doubts about attracting local Japanese visitors.

In the April 2023 local elections, Osaka’s political party, Osaka Ishin no Kai, won decisively, leveraging unrealistic propaganda about transforming Yumeshima into an international tourist city through a casino project, all while deliberately keeping the residents of Osaka Prefecture unaware of the significant issues plaguing Yumeshima.

Many Osaka residents, known for their reserved nature, remain oblivious to being misled. Additionally, foreign pavilion construction managers are still in the dark about the complexities of Yumeshima, due to the lack of communication from the Japanese side.

Numerous brokers with limited architectural knowledge still mediate between these foreign managers and Japanese construction firms, hindering progress. As these discussions continue, international teams will gradually become aware of Yumeshima’s serious problems, potentially leading to disputes, especially among those eager to showcase their country’s uniqueness in Type A pavilions.

Eventually, the reality of the Expo and casino’s failures will become unavoidable for even the most reserved residents of Osaka. This situation could escalate to one of the most significant political scandals in post-war Osaka.

#OsakaExpo2025 #ConstructionCrisis #PoliticalScandal #YumeshimaChallenge #ExpoPreparation #GlobalAwareness #LocalPolitics #InternationalParticipation #ExpoDesignDilemmas #CommunityAwareness

At a recent press conference, Mr. Hiroyuki Miyamoto, the chairman of the Japan Construction Association and president of Shimizu Corporation, expressed serious concerns about delays in the construction of foreign pavilions for the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo. He believes that the deadline for commencement has already passed and urged countries to quickly provide detailed designs and budget-backed orders.

The construction of foreign pavilions faces challenges such as rising material costs and labor shortages, leading to delays in contracts between countries and construction companies. Particularly, the independently designed ‘Type A’ pavilions require more time and manpower, making a shift to the prefab ‘Type X’ pavilions or simplifying ‘Type A’ structures increasingly practical.

Miyamoto mentioned that countries still wishing to start discussions with construction companies for a traditional ‘Type A’ pavilion would face difficulties unless they have a simple structure planned or have secured materials. Without special circumstances, completing these pavilions in time for the Expo’s opening could be challenging.

(Source Sankei Newspaper )

https://www.sankei.com/article/20231127-COJU3TV5EBKRLK2TJE465U6PFI/

#Expo2025 #PavilionConstruction #JapanConstructionAssociation #ConstructionChallenges #OsakaKansaiExpo #InfrastructureDevelopment

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