L-Osaka, the venue set to host the "Non-Freedom of Expression Exhibition Kansai," is seen in Chuo Ward, Osaka, on June 25, 2021. (Mainichi/Tatsuya Fujii)

       OSAKA -- An Osaka prefectural facility that is scheduled to host the controversial "Non-Freedom of Expression Exhibition Kansai" received a letter on July 13 threatening to stop the event by force, and the facility's designated administrator is consulting with Osaka Prefectural Police's Higashi Police Station over the matter.

       The exhibition is scheduled to be held at the prefectural labor center L-Osaka, in Osaka's Chuo Ward, between July 16 and 18. According to the designated administrator, the letter, which arrived in an envelope, said, "I warn you that something unexpected will happen." "Stopping this by force includes destroying the venue and attacking people."

       The envelope had a postmark dated July 12 from a post office in southern Osaka Prefecture.

       The exhibition's executive committee earlier filed a lawsuit to seek a suspension of the designated administrator's decision to cancel approval for the use of the venue for the display. Immediately after the Osaka District Court ruled on July 9 to allow the executive committee to use the venue, the facility filed a protest with the Osaka High Court.

       (Japanese original by Masaki Ishikawa and Yuta Kumamoto, Osaka City News Department)

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