As local governments in Osaka are finalizing a bid to host the 2025 World Expo and develop the nation’s first casino resort in a man-made island in Osaka Bay, major construction companies have been preparing for the next mega-projects after the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Obayashi Corp. launched a project team of nine members in May dedicated for projects in Yumeshima Island, the planned venue of the Expo and casinos. Kajima Corp. established a team in July led by the head of Kansai Branch Office consisting of eleven staffs specializing in architecture, civil engineering and urban development, while Takenaka has promoted the city’s bid for the Expo since a project team was formed last October.

The host of the Expo will be decided at Bureau International des Expositions meeting in November. Many construction companies besides the three firms including Taisei and Shimizu joined a list of official partners of 2025 Japan World Expo Committee. If selected as the host by BIE, the city is expected to spend approximately 125 billion yen to build pavilions, as well as planning extension of a subway and roads. (2018/08/17)