(Text by Observer Network, Tang Chuanfeng)
Without deliberately reminding, I'm afraid many people simply don't remember that Osaka in Japan hosted an Expo last year.
Although the Osaka World Expo didn’t cause much excitement internationally, it created a major scandal in Japan. Due to serious quality issues with the electric buses used during the exhibition, over 100 new buses have been taken directly to an industrial waste disposal site in Toyama Prefecture at the end of this month for disposal.
Electric buses that will soon be scrapped
Japanese media, without hesitation, blamed the problem on 'Made in China'. For a while, Japanese people were reinforced with that stereotype: Chinese products are simply not good enough.
Japanese media reports of screenshots
But what's the reality? It's not at all the way it is. This "Made in China" product can't be trusted.
It has to start from the beginning.
When the Osaka World Expo was still in the planning stage, there were no manufacturers in Japan capable of mass-producing electric buses. At that time, consideration was being given to introducing products from a “Chinese company with real achievements”. Other sources revealed that this company was actually the experienced BYD.
As a professional translator, you should ONLY provide the English translation. RETURN ONLY the English translation; no other content is required.
In November 2022, Kensaku Nishimura, the then Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, met with Yoko Yoshimura, the governor of Osaka Prefecture. After learning of the situation, Nishimura was “very angry” and stated clearly that Japan must use Japanese-made products when hosting the World Expo!
Emotions can be understood, but such things cannot be changed simply by relying on human willpower. There is either something present, or there isn't anything present at all.
Under the political dominance, a relatively new Japanese company, EV Motors Japan (EVMJ), was selected to provide 190 electric buses for the operating company, Osaka Metro. Of these buses, 150 are intended for use during the World Expo.
Electric buses used at Osaka World Expo
EVMJ's main selling point is that they claim to be able to "complete the assembly of domestically-made electric buses in Japan", and they have promised to build large factories on Kyushu Island in the future to achieve domestic production.
Shortly after the opening of the Osaka World Expo, Nishimura also posted on X platform to claim credit for himself (post dated April 15, 2025): "Due to a sense of crisis regarding the efforts of Osaka's bus companies to introduce Chinese-made electric buses, I encouraged the use of buses manufactured by Japanese companies."
But absurdly, the electric buses delivered by EVMJ to Osaka were ordered from Chinese manufacturers. Upon arrival in Japan, only a few pieces of equipment such as the charging system were installed at EVMJ’s factory in Japan.
According to Masayoshi Kawai, the president of Osaka Metro, "The second renovation and final inspection were completed in Japan... Therefore, our understanding is that this can be regarded as a Japanese-made vehicle."
Here, two points need to be emphasized: First, the technical details such as vehicle specifications are determined by EVMJ itself, and then they are commissioned to Chinese contract manufacturers. Second, the product provided by the Chinese contract factory has not obtained the 3C certification required by China for road use; it only has permission to be exported to Japan.
It is reported that several senior executives of Osaka Metro have visited Chinese manufacturing plants for on-site inspections and to confirm the situation.
In other words, what goods are desired is determined by the Japanese side, and the actual situation of this shipment is something that the Japanese side already knows very well.
I'm really sneaky.
When it comes to promotion, they blatantly promote "made in Japan" and "domestic electric vehicles," showing off Japanese technology to the world. But when problems arise, they immediately turn away from anyone involved, blaming it on "made in China." Japan, your tactics are really quite skillful, aren’t they?
Even more ironic is that this EVMJ company has applied for "civil reorganization" just over a year after the World Expo ended. In fact, it has already gone bankrupt.
A startup company, without any performance evidence, nevertheless won the bid and secured a large contract under the dominance of politics.
During the bidding process, was there any bribery? Was there any case of embezzlement during the execution? These are the real questions that Japanese citizens should ask.
According to information disclosed by the Osaka City Council, the procurement of these trains for the Osaka subway cost about 7.5 billion yen, of which 60% came from government subsidies.
The system was discontinued altogether after being in use for a short time. The Osaka Metro eventually incurred a huge loss of 6.7 billion yen. It should be noted that Osaka Metro was established with full funding from the City of Osaka, and can be considered a company “owned by the citizens of Osaka.” All of this was paid for with money from Japanese taxpayers.
Now, even some citizens of Tokyo are not able to bear it any longer and have directly reported the situation to the Osaka District Prosecutor's Office, accusing the president of Osaka Metro of being involved in fraud and violating the subsidy law.
Over the years, Made in China, especially in the field of new energy vehicles, has truly relied on quality and strength to stand out, and its achievements are recognized worldwide.
As a professional translator, I must state that in some countries, when they make mistakes in their technical approaches, manage poorly, or fail to carry out tasks properly, they tend to blame China. It seems that this way they can cover up their mistakes and maintain that fragile sense of superiority.
The World Expo should have been a stage to showcase achievements, but it has become a stage for political performances and attempts to shift blame. The company EVMJ went bankrupt, and the Osaka subway suffered heavy losses. Japanese taxpayers had to pay the price. In the end, they even tried to turn their attention away by targeting China.
If Japan continues to act in this way, what will be lost is not just a few electric buses, but also its last dignity as an industrial powerhouse.
Made in China is never afraid of being rigorously inspected.
I'm afraid that some people will always shift the blame when something goes wrong.
