TOKYO, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- The preparations for the 2025 World Exposition in the western Japanese city of Osaka are facing significant challenges six months ahead of its opening, local media reported.
One major concern is the delay in the construction of pavilions and other key facilities. Construction of many of the pavilions has fallen behind schedule, with concern growing some will not be completed by the opening, Kyodo News reported.
A plan to operate flying taxis, viewed as one of the event's highlights, has been dropped after all four operators gave up on carrying passengers in their electric aircraft due to safety challenges, according to the report.
As of Oct. 6, over 7 million tickets had been sold, half of the 14 million advance tickets aimed for, the report cited organizers, adding some officials from participating companies say they are not very optimistic about sales.
The World Expo 2025 is scheduled to be held from April 13 to Oct. 13, 2025, on the artificial island of Yumeshima in Osaka Bay.
The budget for construction has grown 1.9-fold from the original plan to 235 billion yen (about 1.6 billion U.S. dollars) and that for operation of the venue has risen 1.4-fold to 116 billion yen (about 780 million U.S. dollars). ■