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Japan Today
3 days ago
- Business
- Japan Today
Subcontractors protest unpaid work on 8 overseas Osaka expo pavilions
Subcontractors involved in the construction of eight overseas pavilions at the World Exposition in Osaka are claiming they have not been paid for their work, with organizers and the prefectural government offering little help in what they have deemed is a private matter. Some subcontractors are preparing to sue GL Events Japan, the prime contractor for four of the overseas pavilions involved in nonpayment disputes. Around 20 subcontractors gathered in protest in front of the French company's Japan branch in Osaka city on July 10, demanding to be paid. Takayoshi Tsujimoto, the 54-year-old president of Osaka-based construction company Rego said he was initially surprised that a small company like his was approached to work on overseas pavilions. But a desire to see the expo succeed, and trust in GL Events given its track record in international events, prompted him to take on jobs for the Serbian and German pavilions. Problems, however, began to mount as soon as work began last fall. Steel frames that arrived from overseas differed from the blueprints, while workers were instructed almost daily to perform tasks not in the original contract, causing labor costs and heavy machinery rental fees to balloon. After more than two months of fruitless negotiations, Tsujimoto plans to file a lawsuit seeking approximately 340 million yen in unpaid construction fees from GL Events. Another company in western Japan that worked on the Malta pavilion filed a suit in June seeking more than 110 million yen. GL Events said that it complies with "contractual obligations with each company and Japanese laws." Meanwhile, Jun Takashina, a deputy secretary general of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, has said that "it is a matter between the parties involved." Several subcontractors formed a victims' group at the end of May, requesting reimbursement from the prefectural government, but were told that taxpayer money cannot be used to resolve private disputes. "We worked in harsh conditions at the strong urging of the expo organizers and the prefectural government. It's infuriating that they dismiss it as a private matter despite it being a national project," the group's representative said. The expo is being held between April 13 and Oct 13. © KYODO
The Mainichi
3 days ago
- Business
- The Mainichi
Subcontractors protest unpaid work on 8 overseas Osaka expo pavilions
OSAKA (Kyodo) -- Subcontractors involved in the construction of eight overseas pavilions at the World Exposition in Osaka are claiming they have not been paid for their work, with organizers and the prefectural government offering little help in what they have deemed is a private matter. Some subcontractors are preparing to sue GL Events Japan, the prime contractor for four of the overseas pavilions involved in nonpayment disputes. Around 20 subcontractors gathered in protest in front of the French company's Japan branch in Osaka city on July 10, demanding to be paid. Takayoshi Tsujimoto, the 54-year-old president of Osaka-based construction company Rego said he was initially surprised that a small company like his was approached to work on overseas pavilions. But a desire to see the expo succeed, and trust in GL Events given its track record in international events, prompted him to take on jobs for the Serbian and German pavilions. Problems, however, began to mount as soon as work began last fall. Steel frames that arrived from overseas differed from the blueprints, while workers were instructed almost daily to perform tasks not in the original contract, causing labor costs and heavy machinery rental fees to balloon. After more than two months of fruitless negotiations, Tsujimoto plans to file a lawsuit seeking approximately 340 million yen ($2.3 million) in unpaid construction fees from GL Events. Another company in western Japan that worked on the Malta pavilion filed a suit in June seeking more than 110 million yen. GL Events said that it complies with "contractual obligations with each company and Japanese laws." Meanwhile, Jun Takashina, a deputy secretary general of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, has said that "it is a matter between the parties involved." Several subcontractors formed a victims' group at the end of May, requesting reimbursement from the prefectural government, but were told that taxpayer money cannot be used to resolve private disputes. "We worked in harsh conditions at the strong urging of the expo organizers and the prefectural government. It's infuriating that they dismiss it as a private matter despite it being a national project," the group's representative said. The expo is being held between April 13 and Oct. 13.
Kyodo News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Kyodo News
Kyodo News Digest: Aug. 16, 2025
TOKYO - The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News. ---------- Subcontractors protest unpaid work on 8 overseas Osaka expo pavilions OSAKA - Subcontractors involved in the construction of eight overseas pavilions at the World Exposition in Osaka are claiming they have not been paid for their work, with organizers and the prefectural government offering little help in what they have deemed is a private matter. Some subcontractors are preparing to sue GL Events Japan, the prime contractor for four of the overseas pavilions involved in nonpayment disputes. Around 20 subcontractors gathered in protest in front of the French company's Japan branch in Osaka city on July 10, demanding to be paid. ---------- Japan prime minister vows to pursue peace, be mindful of "remorse" on WWII anniversary TOKYO - Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Friday vowed to keep in mind Japan's "remorse" over World War II as the nation continues its pursuit of peace 80 years since its surrender, becoming the first premier in over a decade to use the term at the annual memorial ceremony for the war dead. Ishiba's speech is seen as a reflection of his resolve to ensure lessons are learned from the war and to pass on what he calls the "sorrowful" memories to future generations as survivors continue to age. ---------- 2 Japan ministers visit war-linked Yasukuni shrine, 1st under PM Ishiba TOKYO - Farm minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato visited the war-linked Yasukuni shrine on Friday as Japan marked the 80th anniversary of its surrender in World War II, the first Cabinet members confirmed to have done so since Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba took office in October. Ishiba sent a ritual offering to the Tokyo shrine without visiting it during the day, according to a source. The Shinto shrine, which honors convicted war criminals along with Japan's war dead, is viewed by Asian neighbors as a symbol of the country's past militarism, drawing immediate backlash from China and South Korea. ---------- South Korea's Lee lauds partnership but urges Japan to face history SEOUL - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Friday vowed to seek forward-looking, mutually beneficial cooperation with Japan while calling on the neighboring country to "squarely face up to" the "long and fraught" history the two countries share. Speaking at a ceremony in Seoul to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of Japan's colonial rule, Lee said Japan is "an indispensable partner," though "unresolved" historical issues still leave some South Koreans suffering, without detailing such issues as forced labor during the colonial period. ---------- Japan economy grows 1.0% in April-June, inflation weighs on spending TOKYO - Japan's economy grew an annualized real 1.0 percent in the April-June period, marking the fifth consecutive quarterly expansion, helped by solid capital investment, though rising prices continued to weigh on consumer spending, government data showed Friday. Exports increased as the impact of higher U.S. tariffs on automobiles from April was limited in the reporting period, but economists warned that broader effects could emerge on the export-reliant economy in the current quarter and beyond. ---------- China slams Japan lawmakers' Yasukuni visits as "erroneous" BEIJING - China on Friday slammed visits by Japanese lawmakers to the war-linked Yasukuni Shrine and a ritual offering sent to it by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, saying it reflects Tokyo's "erroneous" stance toward its history of aggression." The Chinese Embassy in Tokyo also said in a statement the reverence shown by the Japanese politicians indicates "the lingering ghost of Japanese militarism" and "further exacerbates the strong concerns and doubts of its Asian neighbors and the international community about Japan's direction." ---------- Taiwan leader Lai urges resistance to aggression on WWII anniversary TAIPEI - Taiwan President Lai Ching-te on Friday called for unity to resist aggression and uphold freedom and democracy, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II on the Pacific front. In a Facebook post, Lai said, "Only through constant vigilance and unity against aggression can we protect our everyday lives." His comments were made as the self-ruled democratic island faces increased military pressure from mainland China, which claims the territory. ---------- Japan ruling party lawmaker's secretary indicted over funds scandal TOKYO - A former secretary to veteran ruling party lawmaker Koichi Hagiuda was indicted Friday for failing to report about 20 million yen ($136,000) in political funds, in a development that could prompt calls for his ex-boss to take responsibility. With prosecutors issuing a summary indictment against Toshifumi Ushikubo, 46, a court fined him 300,000 yen. It was the first criminal case in the slush funds scandal following a prosecution review panel decision. ---------- Video: Fireworks launched in memory of victims of March 2011 disaster
Kyodo News
3 days ago
- Business
- Kyodo News
Subcontractors protest unpaid work on 8 overseas Osaka expo pavilions
OSAKA - Subcontractors involved in the construction of eight overseas pavilions at the World Exposition in Osaka are claiming they have not been paid for their work, with organizers and the prefectural government offering little help in what they have deemed is a private matter. Some subcontractors are preparing to sue GL Events Japan, the prime contractor for four of the overseas pavilions involved in nonpayment disputes. Around 20 subcontractors gathered in protest in front of the French company's Japan branch in Osaka city on July 10, demanding to be paid. Takayoshi Tsujimoto, the 54-year-old president of Osaka-based construction company Rego said he was initially surprised that a small company like his was approached to work on overseas pavilions. But a desire to see the expo succeed, and trust in GL Events given its track record in international events, prompted him to take on jobs for the Serbian and German pavilions. Problems, however, began to mount as soon as work began last fall. Steel frames that arrived from overseas differed from the blueprints, while workers were instructed almost daily to perform tasks not in the original contract, causing labor costs and heavy machinery rental fees to balloon. After more than two months of fruitless negotiations, Tsujimoto plans to file a lawsuit seeking approximately 340 million yen ($2.3 million) in unpaid construction fees from GL Events. Another company in western Japan that worked on the Malta pavilion filed a suit in June seeking more than 110 million yen. GL Events said that it complies with "contractual obligations with each company and Japanese laws." Meanwhile, Jun Takashina, a deputy secretary general of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, has said that "it is a matter between the parties involved." Several subcontractors formed a victims' group at the end of May, requesting reimbursement from the prefectural government, but were told that taxpayer money cannot be used to resolve private disputes. "We worked in harsh conditions at the strong urging of the expo organizers and the prefectural government. It's infuriating that they dismiss it as a private matter despite it being a national project," the group's representative said. The expo is being held between April 13 and Oct. 13.
