Osaka, Japan – Safety concerns have heightened at the World Exposition venue in Osaka after a dangerous concentration of methane gas was detected in an underground area designated for electrical equipment. This discovery comes just days before the international event is set to open on April 13, raising alarms about the safety of the vast number of expected visitors and participants.
The alarming detection occurred in the Green World construction site on Yumeshima, an artificial island, where the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition is spearheading event preparations. Officials said the methane, a highly flammable gas, was found in levels exceeding acceptable safety standards, prompting immediate action to ventilate the affected area. The situation was brought under control when the covering of the underground space was opened, reducing methane levels to within safe limits.
This incident took place during a critical time, as organizers were conducting a final rehearsal aimed at checking the readiness of facilities and the effectiveness of visitor traffic management systems. In response to the gas detection, the exposition’s organizing committee has announced plans to implement stricter safety protocols. These include more frequent monitoring of gas levels and the erection of fences to limit access to potentially hazardous areas.
The site of the expo, built on reclaimed land, is naturally prone to methane generation due to decomposing waste materials beneath the surface. The recent scare is not the first instance of methane-related safety issues at the venue. In March 2024, sparks from welding operations ignited methane, leading to an explosion. Fortunately, there were no injuries, but the incident caused significant damage to parts of the construction site and stoked ongoing concerns about methane accumulation.
The organizers are under increasing pressure to ensure the safety of the venue, which is expected to draw large crowds. The World Exposition in Osaka is not just a major cultural event but also an economic catalyst. A think tank has projected that the expo could boost local consumption by as much as 1 trillion yen.
Adding to the complexity of the event’s final preparations was the recent decision by Japan Airlines to withdraw from conducting air taxi demonstration flights at the expo. This decision was reportedly made independent of the methane detection incident.
As the opening day approaches, the continuous monitoring and quick mitigation measures are crucial to ensuring the event proceeds without any serious incidents. The World Exposition in Osaka is poised to be a significant international gathering, with the overarching goal of not just showcasing global cultures and innovations but also of fostering safe and sustainable event management practices in light of the recent challenges.