Japan started its close relationship with the World Expo as early as 1867, when it first attended the World Expo Paris. From the Osaka World Expo 1970 to the World Expo 2005 Aichi, Japan has successfully held five World Expos and is the one that has hosted most World Expos among Asian countries. Each of its date with the World Expo has unexceptionally brought about new vigor for the advancement of Japan's technology and economy.

Existing and Living Together with Nature

Mr. Yuji Kumamaru, Consul-General of Japan in Shanghai, Talking About the World Expo Shanghai

By Wang Yanbing

Japan, an important neighbor of China, has successfully hosted several World Expos and accumulated valuable experiences of World Expo. How does Japan view the World Expo 2010 Shanghai then? As a matter of fact, one of our concerns is the participant countries' opinion of the Expo 2010. With such a question in mind, we have interviewed Mr. Yuji Kumamaru, Consul-General of Japan in Shanghai at a meaningful time when the promotion event, "Shanghai Week" is just being carried out in Tokyo, Japan.

Mr. Yuji Kumamaru looks energetic and in good spirit. Before the formal interview started, he said, "We're very happy to participate in the World Expo 2010 Shanghai and I wish the Expo a great success." In his office, a pair of white porcelain mascot characters of the Expo Aichi -- KICCORO and MORIZO -- are sitting on the coffee table and greeting us. Our interview thus begins with the World Expo 2005 Aichi.

a scene at Aichi Expo Park

Reporter: The Expo 2005 Aichi is the closet World Expo to the Expo 2010 Shanghai as regards time and space. Under the overall theme of "Nature's Wisdom", the Aichi Expo, starting from its design and construction to its operation, has shown human's concern for the earth and the nature. The theme of Expo Shanghai is "Better City, Better Life". What's your comment on that?

Mr. Yuji Kumamaru: The overarching theme for the Expo Aichi is "Nature's Wisdom", that is, to seek to advance the progress of mankind in harmony with nature. People have experienced the "nature's favor and human's wisdom", and have felt a "nature's wisdom" of "from nature and back to nature". The theme of the Expo Aichi is correlated to that of the Expo Shanghai, which will research issues related to the development of cities. The Expo Shanghai, exploring possibilities of creating a better life for mankind, is by all means a further progress.

exhibits in Expo 2005 Aichi

Reporter: Almost every theme of the World Expo would address a biggest contemporary issue. The World Expo offers not only a chance for countries to display their achievements in researching into the issue, but also a major platform for exchange and improvement. How do you think will Japan avail itself of the platform of World Expo Shanghai, to show your achievements and to exchange with others, with an aim to find better solutions for our common problems?

Mr. Yuji Kumamaru: I can't go into detail at this stage, but I believe that Japan will continue to focus on "existing and living together with nature", and stick to the idea of environmental protection. For example, we'll introduce Japan's up-to-date technologies in energy industry, and the environmental protection, etc. As a country with the most advanced technology in energy conservation, Japan will be able to contribute to the theme of the World Expo Shanghai. I think the Japanese pavilion will present an exhibition centering on "existing and living together with nature".

Reporter: The recent World Expo saw an increase of Enterprise Pavilions. Their participation has greatly accelerated the progress of technology. And in the World Expo Aichi, Japanese enterprise pavilions were definitely the shinning stars. In the begging of this year, a delegation of Japanese enterprises visited Shanghai World Expo Operation to discuss details about the enterprises' participation in World Expo Shanghai. Will there be any Japanese enterprise to participate in the World Expo Shanghai?

Mr. Yuji Kumamaru: World Expo Shanghai is viewed by Japanese enterprises as a wonderful opportunity. There are mainly two reasons for this. Firstly, Shanghai is an international city full of vigor, and secondly, the World Expo Shanghai provides a good chance to enhance the cooperative relationship between China and Japan. Presently, Japanese enterprises are under way to find a proper presentation of their own. Japan has participated in many World Expos, but we all think that the World Expo 2010 Shanghai will be the largest in scale and the highest in level of its kind. It goes without saying that World Expo Shanghai will be significant.

Reporter: We're looking forward to an early release of the plan of Japan's enterprise pavilions. Meanwhile, we're wondering what has been the situation with Aichi prefecture since the closing of the World Expo. Aichi has become more famous due to the World Expo. Is there any change happened to the exhibition area and people's life there?

Mr. Yuji Kumamaru: All pavilions have been pulled down and the area resumes its original function as a park. Actually, we made a detailed plan of the demolishing work at the same time when we designed the construction. Things there remain the same as before and so is people's life there.

Reporter: Indeed, we have much to learn from the successful experiences of the World Expo Aichi. The preparation work for the Expo Shanghai has entered into a new stage in 2007. We are now putting more emphases on overseas promotion, and the "Shanghai Week" in Japan is a case in point. As far as we know, your country has also made a great effort to ensure the success of this event. What do you have to say about that?

Mr. Yuji Kumamaru: Thank you very much for your recognition of the Expo Aichi. As it is the latest Expo held and is closely related to the World Expo 2010 Shanghai, we feel a responsibility to ensure the great success of the Expo shanghai. Pre-Expo communication and introduction is truthfully crucial for its final success. We're more than happy to make the concerted effort with you and we sincerely hope that more and more people will pay attention to the World Expo Shanghai, in particular, the theme of the Expo Shanghai.

Reporter: We know that ever since your formal confirmation of participation in the Expo Shanghai in last October, your country has been doing considerable preparation work. Could you shed some light on its progress?

Mr. Yuji Kumamaru: We've been engaged in various preparations for the Expo since our confirmation of participation. Japan's participation in Expo Shanghai is co-managed by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and Ministry of the Environment. Japan External Trade Organization also provides necessary support. Early in 2006, a "World Expo Talkfest", composed of elites in diversified industries, was established. Its members have been involved in work related to the Expo Shanghai. Parties concerned of the Expo Aichi are also carrying out a close cooperation with their Shanghai counterparts of the Expo Shanghai. Japan is currently designing its plan of exhibition.

Reporter: Allow me to ask you the last two questions. What appeals the most to you as regards the Expo Shanghai? We know that the World Expo 1970 Osaka has impressed the world by creating a record of receiving visits of 64 million person-times. Shanghai is expected to attract about 70 million person-times. What is your estimation of Japanese people visiting the Expo Shanghai?

Mr. Yuji Kumamaru: The biggest attraction of the Expo Shanghai lies, perhaps in the fact that China is changing with each passing day and that Shanghai is such an impressive city. During the World Expo 2010 Shanghai, I'm sure many Japanese people will visit Shanghai. They've shown a great interest in the Expo Shanghai. In fact, People in Japan are fascinated not only by the Expo Shanghai itself, but also by Shanghai and by the whole country. It's hard to give a specific figure of Japanese visitors, but I believe visitors from Japan will surpass those from any other country.

Links: World Expos hosted by Japan

World Exposition 1970 Osaka Japan, a comprehensive expo, with the theme "Progress and Harmony for Mankind", was not only the earliest but also the most successful and the most out atanding expo held by an Asian. Its impact is still visible today. Having pushed the cause of World Expo to the peak, it exerted a deepest influence on Japan's regional economy. It is this Expo that created the record of 64 million person-times of visit. The tower of the sun, a masterpiece of Taro Okamoto, the forerunner of the Advanced Guard Art, became the landmark architecture of the World Exposition 1970 Osaka. Another display that amazed the world was a "Moon Stone" taken back from the moon by the American spaceship "Apollo 11".

International Ocean Exposition Okinawa, Japan, 1975, a specialized Exhibition based on the theme "Ocean, Hope of the Future", described a picture of the future of ocean and human being and explored the huge potential of cities on the water. Visitors attended found a great interest on exhibitions such as "Cities on the Sea", and "Pastures on the Sea".

Harbor and Island Exposition Kobe, Japan, 1981, a specialized exhibition elaborated on the theme "Man-made Islands, Large Harbors, and Express Trains". It was at this exhibition that Chinese pandas traveled across the ocean to "visit" Kobe. During their half-year exhibition there, these pandas caught the eyes of tens of thousands of people. For a time pandas were very popular in Kansai.

International Exposition Tsukuba, Japan 1985, a specialized exhibition of science and technology with a theme "Inhabitation and Environment -- Science and Technology for Human Inhabitation", showed the world a bright future in the 21st century. Computer technology, with its unique glamour, received many visitors at this Expo.

International Garden and Greenery Exposition, Osaka, Japan, 1990 was a specialized exhibition devoted to the theme of "Human and Nature".

World Expo 2005 Aichi, Japan, a comprehensive exhibition centered on the theme "Nature's Wisdom". The Expo invited people to focus on the coexistence between human and nature by way of exploring advanced technologies and presenting new concepts of environmental protection. The exhibition area itself showed the magic of resource recycling. Dialogue between human and the robots was the new bright point for this Expo.