"万博海外館の工費未払いは「民間同士の問題」なのか　業者が質問書," 16 July 2025

[Unofficial description by Business & Human Rights Resource Centre]

Contractors working on overseas pavilions for the 2025 World Exposition have submitted an open letter of inquiry to the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, the event’s organiser, claiming that construction fees remain unpaid. The letter challenges the association’s stance that such payment issues are “a matter between private companies.”

One subcontractor for the Angola Pavilion alleges that the rush construction schedule led to long working hours and continuous shifts.

The letter points out that under the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, non-payment of wages is identified as a “key type of human rights risk,” arguing that failing to compensate labour is a violation of human rights.

Contractors involved in pavilion construction for a total of eight countries—Angola, Malta, China, Serbia, Germany, Romania, the United States, and India—are reportedly raising similar claims.