Concerns are rising over the limited availability of smoking areas at the Osaka-Kansai Expo, which opens on April 13, 2025. Smoking will be completely banned inside the venue, and only two smoking areas will be provided outside, with a total capacity of about 400 people. With up to 220,000 visitors expected daily, there are concerns that insufficient smoking facilities could lead to an increase in street smoking.
The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition has banned smoking inside the venue to prevent secondhand smoke exposure and has set up designated smoking areas outside. However, some areas near the gates are built on landfill containing waste materials that produce flammable methane gas, making it unsafe to install smoking facilities.
Visitors who smoke on the street will face a fine of 1,000 yen($7). However, there are concerns that the weak yen may lessen the deterrent effect on foreign tourists.
Viewer Comments:
It’s crazy to hold an expo in a place like that…
I wonder if it’s safe to use open flames for cooking.
Annoying YouTubers might try to test it and cause a huge accident.
Banning smoking because of explosion risks… doesn’t sound like a “modern” expo.
Source:https://www.sankei.com/article/20250307-P6OIWHOMXVLLLKBJP4CYOGX4X4/
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