”「ほぼゼロ回答、まるで人ごと」　万博協会の対応に弁護士激怒　海外館未払いトラブル巡り,” 6 August 2025

[Unofficial description by Business & Human Rights Resource Centre]

Regarding the non-payment of construction costs for overseas pavilions at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, the Osaka-based NGO “Labour and Human Rights Support Centre Osaka,” which had sent a letter of inquiry to the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, made public the Association’s written response regarding the Angola Pavilion. The NGO expressed outrage, calling it effectively a “zero answer” and accusing the Association of treating the issue as someone else’s problem.

In response to questions about remedy for affected businesses, the Association stated that it “will not make advance payments” for non-payment between prime contractors and subcontractors, as it is “not a party to the contract.”

Attorney Hidekazu Zaima, the NGO’s representative, criticised the Association for failing to understand its own “human rights policy,” which clearly states that it will work on remedy and corrective measures if Expo-related projects cause adverse impacts on human rights.