Osaka Expo Opens, but 87% of Japanese Citizens Say "I Won't Go"

87% Respond "Will Not Attend"

As the Osaka-Kansai Expo runs for six months from the 13th to October 13th, it has been revealed that only 13 out of 100 Japanese people express an intention to visit the Expo.

On the 13th, the opening day of the Osaka-Kansai Expo, the expo character 'Myaku Myaku' and a large Gundam model can be seen. Photo by Yonhap News

According to the Mainichi Shimbun of Japan, a survey conducted over two days from the 12th to 13th targeting 2,040 people aged 18 and older (valid respondents) asked about their intention to attend the Osaka Expo. Only 13% of respondents said they would "probably go" or "definitely go."

Conversely, 87% responded that they "will not go" or "probably will not go."

In this monthly survey, 24% of respondents expressed support for the cabinet of Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. This is similar to the lowest level recorded in March (23%) after the launch of the Ishiba cabinet.

Regarding the desirable future government structure, "a coalition government led by the opposition parties" (22%) received a higher response rate than "maintaining the current Liberal Democratic Party-Komeito framework" (9%). Respondents who chose "a government including the Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito, and the Democratic Party for the People" accounted for 11%.

Regarding the ruling party's recent economic measures in response to U.S. tariff actions, which include discussions on universal cash payments, 57% of respondents said they "do not view it positively," which was higher than the 20% who "view it positively."