Sep 26, 2024
Road to Expo 2025 EXPO and Exhibitors NO.2 Source: Daisho (OCCI) News dated September 10th
OBAYASHI Yoshigoro – The founder of Obayashi Corporation Construction of facilities for the 5th Industry Promotion Exposition

In 1903, the 5th Industry Promotion Exposition was held at Imamiya (Shinimamiya, as of now), Tennoji in Osaka. The Obayashi Group (The predecessor of Obayashi Corporation), led by Osaka native OBAYASHI Yoshigoro, won the bid for most of the construction of the venue facilities after fierce competition with Tokyo construction firms. Although all the domestic industry promotion expositions were held in Tokyo except for the 4th one in Kyoto, Michio Doi, the 7th Chairperson of the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, took the lead in a fierce campaign against the central political circles.

After a close battle, it was decided that Osaka would host the 5th round. This was the reason behind Yoshigoro's extraordinary enthusiasm to win the bid for the construction project. The "Obayashi Tall Tower," built under Yoshigoro's idea, was 45 meters high, an unprecedented height for a wooden structure, and was equipped with an elevator.

It gathered special attention from attendants and was brought the inspiration for the "Tsutenkaku" (Tsutenkaku Tower) that was to be built later. Other industrial pavilion, machinery pavilion and museum also stood. The new products pavilion displayed foreign exhibits from 6 countries, and automobiles (steam), refrigerators, and typewriters were shown for the first time in Japan.

The number of visitors reached 5.3 million over the five-month period of the exhibition, and the ability of Obayashi Group to construct many of the facilities independently was recognized, making Yoshigoro's name well known throughout Japan.