Key Facts
Hyogo Governor Motohiko Saito has faced scrutiny over his administration’s significant financial commitment to the Osaka-Kansai Expo and related projects. Since taking office in 2021, Saito has prioritized Expo-related initiatives, allocating approximately ¥45.6 billion ($310 million) over three years-more than four times the budget of neighboring Kyoto Prefecture, which spent ¥10.7 billion ($73 million) during the same period.
One of Saito’s flagship projects is the development of “flying cars,” aimed at advancing social implementation technologies. Over the past three years, the prefecture has invested ¥2.5 billion ($17 million) in this initiative. The project has drawn attention due to the involvement of Kaede Orita, CEO of PR firm Merchu, who managed Saito’s social media strategy during his re-election campaign. Orita, currently under investigation for alleged violations of election laws, was appointed to the prefecture’s Next-Generation Air Mobility Council in 2023, where she promoted the flying car initiative on platforms like Instagram.
Another major project is the “Hyogo Rakuichi Rakuza” event, held every weekend during the Expo near the shuttle bus terminal in Amagasaki City. The event, featuring local vendors, food trucks, and stage performances, has a two-year budget of ¥4.2 billion ($28.5 million). However, the initiative has been met with criticism from within the prefectural government. Staff have expressed concerns about the event’s location in an industrial area with limited public transportation and its reliance on Expo visitors, who may be unlikely to spend additional money after a long day at the Expo.
Internal discussions to scale back the event were reportedly overruled by Saito following his re-election in late 2024. Despite concerns about cost-effectiveness, he insisted on maintaining the event’s original scale, citing its potential to boost local engagement during the Expo.
For further details, visit the original article: Hyogo Governor Motohiko Saito’s Expo Budget Controversy.
Summary
Hyogo Governor Motohiko Saito has allocated approximately ¥45.6 billion ($310 million) over three years to Osaka-Kansai Expo-related projects, significantly surpassing Kyoto Prefecture’s ¥10.7 billion ($73 million) budget for the same period. Among his key initiatives is the development of “flying cars,” with ¥2.5 billion ($17 million) invested since 2021. This project has drawn scrutiny due to the involvement of Kaede Orita, CEO of PR firm Merchu, who managed Saito’s re-election social media strategy and is under investigation for alleged election law violations. Orita was appointed to the prefecture’s Next-Generation Air Mobility Council in 2023.
Another major project, the “Hyogo Rakuichi Rakuza” event, has a two-year budget of ¥4.2 billion ($28.5 million). Held near the Expo shuttle bus terminal in Amagasaki City, it features local vendors and performances but has faced criticism for its industrial location, limited public transport, and reliance on Expo visitors. Despite internal discussions to scale back the event due to cost concerns, Saito insisted on maintaining its original scale after his 2024 re-election, citing its potential to enhance local engagement.
For more details, visit the original article: Hyogo Governor Motohiko Saito’s Expo Budget Controversy.
