Pakistan, Iran scuttle plans to build their own pavilions for 2025 World Expo in Japan

Pakistan and Iran have relinquished their plans to build their own pavilions at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, Japan and will instead use pavilions prepared by the event's organizer, local media reported on Tuesday.

Some 51 countries are planning to build their own pavilions, called Type A, but 11 have still not secured contractors, Tokyo-based Kyodo News reported, citing the expo organizers.

The organizers are considering asking participants whose construction of Type A pavilions is lagging behind schedule to return the rented-out lots.

Iran plans to shift from Type A to simpler Type X, built by the organizer and rented out to participants who will arrange the interiors and exteriors, while Pakistan plans to switch to a another less costly option, Type C, which will be built by the organizer and shared by multiple participants.

Over 160 countries and regions, as well as nine international organizations, have confirmed their participation in the expo, which is scheduled for next April through October year on Yumeshima, an artificial island in Osaka Bay.