Osaka Expo faces bomb threat just days before opening

The Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025 has come under threat just days before it is set to open to the public, after a bomb scare at the main train station set to be used by visitors to the event.

Kiyoshi Tanaka, a 21-year-old university student from Sanda City, Hyogo Prefecture, was arrested on suspicion of intimidation and obstruction of business after making threats towards the venue.

The arrest stems from a social media post made on April 3rd in which Tanaka allegedly threatened to “blow up” Yumeshima Station, on the Osaka Metro Chuo line, with dynamite.

Hyogo Prefectural Police are headquartered in Kobe, which lies around 33km from Osaka

Yumeshima Station is the primary access point for the highly anticipated Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025 site and the only rail/metro station .

According to the prefectural police, Tanaka has admitted to posting the threatening message, stating during questioning that he “posted it to relieve stress”.

On April 3rd, the official Osaka Metro made a post on their social media accounts advising travelers of a service delay.

This post was typical of the service and status updates provided to the public by major public transport operators through social media.

Yumeshima Station has been built to provide access for the Expo site via the Osaka Metro

Tanaka is accused of writing a reply to the post which read: “Tell us the reason properly. I’m going to blow up the dynamite set up at Yumeshima Station”.

Following the threatening post, the station-master and other Osaka Metro staff reportedly conducted a thorough investigation of the station premises on April 4th to ensure the safety of the facility and the public, particularly in light of test events taking place over the following days in preparation for the opening of Osaka-Kansai Expo.

Japanese press and a members of the public were invited to take visit the Expo as part of a test event on April 5th and 6th

These checks were conducted in advance of a “test run” event that commenced at the Expo site over the following two days, which invited stakeholders and later, members of the public, to assess the venue’s operations and traffic flow ahead of its official opening on April 13th, 2025.

The test run involved visitors being allowed onto the Expo grounds to check facility operations and traffic lines, highlighting the sensitivity surrounding any threats directed at infrastructure connected to the event.

During voluntary questioning by the prefectural police prior to his arrest, Tanaka reportedly explained his motivation for the post, stating, “It’s a popular station at the Expo, so I thought it would attract attention”.

This statement suggests that the intent was to cause disruption and gain notoriety through the threat, rather than indicating a genuine plan to commit violence.

Additional test events will be held before the Expo opens on April 13th

Tanaka’s alleged threat, directed at a major transportation hub connected to a high-profile international event, is considered to have disrupted the normal course of business for Osaka Metro, as staff were required to divert resources to investigate the threat and ensure the safety of the station.

Based on the threat that was made and the need to disrupt normal Osaka Metro business in response to it, Tanaka was charged with intimidation and obstruction of business by the Hyogo Prefectural Police.

Intimidation, under Japanese law, involves threatening another person with harm to themselves, their family, or their property, causing them to fear for their safety.

Obstruction of business, in this context, refers to the act of interfering with the legitimate operations of a business through fraudulent means or by creating a disturbance.

Japanese law takes threats of violence seriously, particularly when directed at public transportation infrastructure.

The threat and subsequent response was reported on by MBS News, a Kansai area broadcaster based in Osaka

The Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025, officially the Japan International Exposition 2025, is a major international event scheduled to be held on the artificial island of Yumeshima in Osaka Bay.

The Expo is expected to attract millions of visitors from around the world, showcasing technological advancements, cultural exchanges, and solutions to global challenges.

While special trains and shuttle buses are running to other nearby stations, Yumeshima Station is the only rail/metro station on Yumsehima Island where the Expo is being held which make any threat directed at the station a matter of concern for public safety and the smooth operation of the event.

Source: MBS News