2024-01-25 03:00:00
From Osaka, which has been rocked by the Expo issue, a story has spread that will cause ripples. The chairman of the Osaka Tourism Bureau announced that the city would attract F1, the highest level of automobile racing. However, it costs a huge amount of money to hold the event. Suzuka Circuit (Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture) is the “sacred place” of Japanese F1, and there are also concerns about the balance. Is it possible for the F1 Osaka Grand Prix (GP) to become a reality? What is the aim? (Joe Miyahata)
F1 Japan GP held at Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture = September 2023
◆Private-led “independent accounting scheme”
“The F1 series is changing into a business model that can be operated on a private basis. We would like to move forward with attracting more people.”
Hiroshi Mizohata, chairman of the Osaka Tourism Bureau, made this statement on the 15th at a meeting held in the city by Osaka Prefecture and City, the Kansai Economic Federation, and others. He also said, “F1 is turning into general entertainment. If we clear each step step by step, we will be able to attract the program,” and at a press conference on the 23rd, he advocated “creating a business scheme that can be independently profitable in the private sector.”
◆“Public road races” have been planned in the past with the premise of attracting casinos
In response to the tourism bureau’s move, Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura said, “We welcome the idea of taking on the challenge of private management.I think there are challenges, but we would like to cooperate as much as possible.” Mr. Yoshimura had floated the idea of attracting the city in the past.
In 2019, when I was the mayor of Osaka, I talked about attracting a casino to Yumeshima, an artificial island in Osaka Bay that is also the venue for the Osaka-Kansai Expo, and said, “I want it to be the best entertainment area. I think it can be achieved if we do so.”
However, Ichiro Matsui, who replaced Yoshimura as mayor, stated in 2022 that “preparations require manpower and financial resources.There was no evidence that we could attract the city if we made preparations.”He said that it would be difficult to attract the city. He showed his recognition of this.
◆Contract fee of 4 billion yen…Who is the sponsor?
Osaka Tourism Bureau Chairman Hiroshi Mizohata = 2016
The idea for the Osaka Grand Prix, which has resurfaced in a short time, is being promoted by the Osaka Tourism Bureau, a public interest incorporated foundation funded by the prefecture, city, and local business community. As the Chairman says, it is not a simple matter to proceed with private sector initiative and avoid using taxpayers’ money.
“If the event is held in Japan, the contract fee is said to be about 4 billion yen.In addition, there will also be venue maintenance costs.Are there any sponsors in Osaka that will provide the funds, especially companies involved in the automobile industry?I don’t think they have that kind of background. think”
This is what motorsports journalist Kunihiko Akai points out.
◆South Korea withdrew with huge deficit
The risk of failure is high. F1 has been held in South Korea since 2010, but it was withdrawn after 2013 due to large losses. The contract is for seven years, and it was reported that there will be a penalty of approximately 10 billion yen.
Mr. Akai also denies Mr. Mizohata’s statement that it is “general entertainment.”
“The fans come here, and the racing is the core of it. Just look at Suzuka. There are a lot of people coming, but there are no other purposes like the casino.”
◆Fan: “I won’t forgive it if it becomes a hindrance to Suzuka.”
What will happen to the race at the traditional Suzuka Circuit?
There are exceptions, but as a general rule, F1 is held once per country. If it were to be “robbed” from Suzuka, there would likely be strong opposition from fans. Already, people on the internet are saying things like, “If it becomes a hindrance to Suzuka, we won’t allow it!” and “Did you know that F1 racers are also looking forward to running in Suzuka?”
The Osaka GP seems to have many challenges. Still, what is the reason for insisting on attracting Japan?
◆“The casino and the Expo are the fireworks of the Meiji Restoration”
Yuji Yoshitomi, a journalist living in Osaka, concludes, “They say it is led by the private sector, but it is the same thing as the government waving the flag of the Meiji Restoration.”
“With the Noto Peninsula earthquake, there are growing calls for the Expo to be postponed or canceled.This is not the time to talk about F1.The order is out of order.It is a sign of impatience that the Expo and the casino planned after it may not go well.” Isn’t that so?”, he criticizes.
“There are casinos and the World Expo, but the Meiji Restoration has always tried to maintain its unifying force with events and fireworks. We should consider more down-to-earth policies such as fostering local industry.”
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