During a recent Senate Environment Committee meeting on the 15th, lawmaker Yoshio Yamashita sharply criticized lax safety measures at the Osaka-Kansai Expo venue in Yumeshima. His concerns were fueled by an incident on the 6th when methane gas levels exceeded the lower explosive limit, posing a serious explosion risk.
Despite the Expo Association's pledge in September to enhance gas monitoring and safety verification, Yamashita argued that the measures had not been properly implemented. Deputy Director Mogi from the Cabinet Secretariat's Expo Promotion Office acknowledged that the current precautions were insufficient, admitting that the response did not meet the urgency of the situation.
Following the methane detection, Moriguchi City Councilor Ken-Taro Teramoto urgently called on expo staff to alert responsible officials. However, safety restrictions were not enforced and efforts to notify the disaster prevention center were reportedly hindered by security personnel. While the Expo Association outlined plans to establish a robust on-site communication and training system, Yamashita dismissed these as merely symbolic—an "illustrated promise" with no practical backing.
Drawing parallels with past incidents like the 1970 urban gas explosion in Osaka and the 2010 gas explosion in Himeji, Yamashita emphasized that without a responsible safety system prioritizing visitor security, the legitimacy of operating the expo could be seriously questioned. He proposed installing compulsory ventilation systems, instituting continuous methane monitoring in all underground pits, and deploying well-trained staff throughout the venue.
As the debate intensifies, the call for comprehensive safety measures at large-scale events resonates not just in Japan but globally. The developments at the Osaka-Kansai Expo underscore the pressing need for effective safety protocols that can prevent potential disasters and ensure public well-being.
Reference(s):
Senator Yamashita Demands Accountability Over Expo Safety After Methane Gas Threat
or.jp
