Latest news with #OsakaBay
CTV News
a day ago
- Health
- CTV News
Japan's Osaka Expo temporarily suspends water shows after high levels of bacteria detected
A view of 'Water Plaza' at the site of the World Exposition in Osaka, on June 4, 2025.(Atsuhiro Maeda/Kyodo News via AP) TOKYO — Popular daily fountain shows and a shallow pool area at Expo 2025 in Osaka have been temporarily suspended due to bacterial contamination that required cleaning and safety checks, the event organizers said on Monday. The aquatic show at the Water Plaza has been suspended since June 4 when legionella bacteria of up to 20 times the legal limit was detected in the water, a week after lower levels of contamination had been found. Another water area, called the Forest of Tranquility — a shallow reservoir over 2.3 hectares (5.7 acres) where visitors can soak their feet and relax — has also been closed for cleaning due to the legionella contamination, which can cause pneumonia. The bacteria contamination is the latest problem hitting the Expo site, where swarms of midges have been bothering visitors for weeks. The venue, built on a former industrial waste burial site in the Osaka Bay in western Japan, where methane gas was detected days before the opening in April. The use of insecticides have so far not effectively blocked the midges. Organizers say they now believe the source of the midges is the Water Plaza and that additional measures are under way, such as installing an insect screen. Organizers have also taken anti-bacterial measures at the water areas, including increased sanitation, cleaning drainage pipes and increasing water circulation, to improve water quality at the reservoir and get approval for a reopening from the health authorities. Hiroyuki Ishige, secretary general of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, said the organizers should have acted more quickly to close down the water area after detecting increased levels of contamination. 'We deeply apologize over the inconveniences we have caused to the visitors who were looking forward to the (water) shows,' Ishige told a media briefing on Monday. Organizers says there has been no reported health issues. The Osaka Expo involves participants from more than 160 countries, regions and organizations who are showcasing their futuristic exhibits. Organizers had expected 28 million visitors through mid-October. Mari Yamaguchi, The Associated Press
The Independent
a day ago
- Health
- The Independent
Japan's Osaka Expo temporarily suspends water shows after high levels of bacteria detected
Popular daily fountain shows and a shallow pool area at Expo 2025 in Osaka have been temporarily suspended due to bacterial contamination that required cleaning and safety checks, the event organisers said on Monday. The aquatic show at the Water Plaza has been suspended since June 4 when legionella bacteria of up to 20 times the legal limit was detected in the water, a week after lower levels of contamination had been found. Another water area, called the Forest of Tranquility — a shallow reservoir over 2.3 hectares (5.7 acres) where visitors can soak their feet and relax — has also been closed for cleaning due to the legionella contamination, which can cause pneumonia. The bacteria contamination is the latest problem hitting the Expo site, where swarms of midges have been bothering visitors for weeks. The venue, built on a former industrial waste burial site in the Osaka Bay in western Japan, where methane gas was detected days before the opening in April. The use of insecticides have so far not effectively blocked the midges. Organizers say they now believe the source of the midges is the Water Plaza and that additional measures are under way, such as installing an insect screen. Organizers have also taken anti-bacterial measures at the water areas, including increased sanitation, cleaning drainage pipes and increasing water circulation, to improve water quality at the reservoir and get approval for a reopening from the health authorities. Hiroyuki Ishige, secretary general of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, said the organizers should have acted more quickly to close down the water area after detecting increased levels of contamination. 'We deeply apologize over the inconveniences we have caused to the visitors who were looking forward to the (water) shows,' Ishige told a media briefing on Monday. Organizers says there has been no reported health issues. The Osaka Expo involves participants from more than 160 countries, regions and organizations who are showcasing their futuristic exhibits. Organizers had expected 28 million visitors through mid-October.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Bacteria cancels water shows at Japan's World Expo
The discovery of high levels of bacteria has led the World Expo in Japan's Osaka to suspend daily water shows and use of a shallow play pool, organisers said. It comes after visitors also complained that swarms of tiny flying insects had invaded the vast waterfront site where Expo 2025 runs until mid-October. Nearly six million people have visited exhibits from more than 160 countries, regions and organisations since it opened in April. Although polls showed that public enthusiasm for the Expo was lukewarm before its opening, organisers say crowds have been growing, especially in recent weeks. But concerns were raised over environmental conditions at the reclaimed island site in Osaka Bay, which was once a landfill. Organisers said Thursday that high levels of legionella bacteria had forced them to close an area with shallow water where visitors, including children, could cool off. That followed a statement released Wednesday saying daily fountain shows with music and lights at an artificial pond had been suspended for the same reason. They said they were cleaning the affected areas, adding that a decision would come on Friday on whether the shows could resume. Days before the Expo opened, a level of methane gas high enough to potentially ignite a fire was detected at the site. More recently, organisers sprayed insecticide to deter swarms of non-biting midges bothering guests. Also known as a World's Fair, the Expo phenomenon, which brought the Eiffel Tower to Paris, began with London's 1851 Crystal Palace exhibition. It is now held every five years in different global locations. hih/kaf/fox
Al Arabiya
4 days ago
- Al Arabiya
Bacteria suspends water shows at Japan's World Expo
The discovery of high levels of bacteria has led the World Expo in Japan's Osaka to suspend daily water shows and use of a shallow play pool, organizers said. It comes after visitors also complained that swarms of tiny flying insects had invaded the vast waterfront site where Expo 2025 runs until mid-October. Nearly six million people have visited exhibits from more than 160 countries, regions and organizations since it opened in April. Although polls showed that public enthusiasm for the Expo was lukewarm before its opening, organizers say crowds have been growing, especially in recent weeks. But concerns were raised over environmental conditions at the reclaimed island site in Osaka Bay, which was once a landfill. Organizers said Thursday that high levels of legionella bacteria had forced them to close an area with shallow water where visitors, including children, could cool off. That followed a statement released Wednesday saying daily fountain shows with music and lights at an artificial pond had been suspended for the same reason. They said they were cleaning the affected areas, adding that a decision would come on Friday on whether the shows could resume. Days before the Expo opened, a level of methane gas high enough to potentially ignite a fire was detected at the site. More recently, organizers sprayed insecticide to deter swarms of non-biting midges bothering guests. Also known as a World's Fair, the Expo phenomenon, which brought the Eiffel Tower to Paris, began with London's 1851 Crystal Palace exhibition. It is now held every five years in different global locations.
