December 2023

In Japan, the most extraordinary element is its forests. The Japanese have a long history of cherishing the trees in their forests.

The photo I am sharing was taken in Koyasan, a central monastery of Japanese Esoteric Buddhism located in a forest within the mountains of Wakayama Prefecture. In contrast to European churches located in city centers, the focal point of Japanese faith is nestled in remote forests.

The Japanese believe that forests are sacred, home to divine spirits. Destroying forests is not just an environmental concern, but a breach of spiritual sanctity. There is a strong belief that cutting down forest trees angers the gods and brings curses upon humans.

By 2050, it’s said that all the world’s rainforests might disappear. Humanity cannot survive without the greenery. Thus, halting the destruction of forests is a crucial task for the survival of humankind. Japan’s traditional religious beliefs and the philosophy of forest reverence could play a pivotal role in this rescue mission.

Yet, for the Osaka Expo, there are plans to transplant 1,500 trees to Yumeshima. Considering the sea breeze and the challenges of transplanting grown trees, this seems impractical.

Japan is blessed with magnificent forests. I urge our international visitors to explore not Yumeshima, but the revered and historical forests of Koyasan, Ise Jingu, and many others.

Hearing such news about the Expo, I am left speechless and dismayed at the lack of regard for Japan’s treasured natural heritage.

#JapaneseForests #EnvironmentalConservation #TraditionalBeliefs #SpiritualSanctity #Koyasan #IseJingu #OsakaExpo #EnvironmentalCrisis #NaturePreservation #CulturalHeritage

It’s concerning to hear reports of delays in the preparations for the Osaka Expo, as well as apparent gaps in negotiations between Japan and other countries. The Expo isn’t just a business event; it’s a platform for cultural exchange between Japan and the global community. Delays and missteps not only jeopardize Japan’s international reputation but could also affect future business relationships. It’s essential for all involved to approach this event with empathy and a spirit of cooperation. Let’s remember the Expo’s broader significance as we work towards successful execution. #OsakaExpo #CulturalExchange #InternationalRelations

This year, I single-handedly executed a renovation project in Suita City as a skilled carpenter. The project involved restoring 140 square meters of aged flooring to a glossy shine and reviving a damaged Japanese-style alcove using a sander and urethane paint. Despite being a 30-year-old property, it was rented out at a high rate, immediately signed by the first client who viewed it. My solo effort in purchasing materials and undertaking the work significantly reduced the construction costs.

However, I recently heard about the high costs of construction for the Type X pavilions at the Osaka Expo. I believe the reason for this is as follows:

(Worker’s Salary + Material Costs + Contractor’s Margin) x 1.2 (Broker’s Margin)

With five brokers involved, the multiplication factor becomes 2.48 times after repeated application:

1.2 x 1.2 x 1.2 x 1.2 x 1.2 ≈ 2.48 times

Additionally, a consumption tax of 1.1 times applies to each of these elements.

Therefore, the construction cost of my Suita City project multiplied by more than ten times equals the construction cost at Yumeshima for the Expo.

Expo 2025 in Osaka is entangled with countless incompetent brokers, not just in construction but also in other sectors, both domestically and internationally.

Eliminating these brokers and appointing skilled coordinators is essential for efficiency and cost-effectiveness in such large-scale projects.

#Expo2025 #OsakaExpo #ConstructionEfficiency #SuitaCityProject #BuildingCosts #BrokerImpact #CostManagement #InfrastructureDevelopment #ProjectManagement #SkilledCarpentry #InnovativeConstruction

In June 2023, an important safety concern arose for the upcoming Osaka Expo 2025. The tunnel connecting Yumeshima and Sakishima, two artificial islands, is prone to flooding due to linear precipitation bands, leading to frequent traffic closures. This issue needs to be addressed to ensure the safety of all Expo visitors.

（Sankei Newspaper Article Translation)
On June 2, 2023, the Osaka City Office reported that the Yumeshima Tunnel experienced flooding, causing partial lane closures. The time for reopening remains uncertain. According to the Osaka Port Bureau, rainwater and mud flowed into the tunnel, prompting the closure of lanes from Sakishima towards Yumeshima. The lanes from Yumeshima to Sakishima remained open.

Furthermore, the Shin-Kizugawa Bridge, connecting Taisho and Suminoe wards, was also temporarily closed due to flooding from noon on the same day, but reopened around 2 PM.

This development highlights a crucial infrastructure issue that could impact the Osaka Expo 2025, underscoring the need for robust planning and safety measures.

1. #OsakaExpo2025 #YumeshimaTunnel #InfrastructureSafety #TravelDisruptions #FloodPrevention #ExpoPreparations #UrbanPlanning #OsakaCityUpdates #ExpoSafetyConcerns #TransportationChallenges

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/b0f49f44d84f69e53a6f8a61c3e61010461f8963

The collective backlash from Tokyo’s Kasumigaseki bureaucrats against the Kishida administration has begun, marking a critical phase in Japanese politics. Recent media reports revealed an additional burden of 83.7 billion yen for the construction of Expo 2025, a figure previously known to bureaucrats but deliberately withheld from the Kishida government. Even Jimi, the Minister in charge of the Expo, was kept in the dark due to the bureaucrats’ failure to report.

With the plummeting approval ratings of the Kishida administration, bureaucrats have assessed that Kishida lacks the power to manage the situation effectively. As a result, they have decided to release a flood of previously hidden negative information, likely leading to further cost revelations and challenges for the Expo.

This strategy by the bureaucrats, once set in motion, often signals the end of a political regime in Japan. Next year, it’s highly probable that both the Kishida government and Minister Jimi will be utterly overwhelmed by the unfolding Expo scandal, leading to their political downfall.

In the coming year, Japan’s political landscape is poised for rapid and tumultuous changes, creating an increasingly unstable environment around Expo 2025.

#Expo2025 #JapanPolitics #KishidaAdministration #BureaucraticBacklash #PoliticalCrisis #GovernmentTransparency #RisingCosts #PoliticalInstability #OsakaExpo2025 #GovernmentAccountability