Japan Association for the 2005 World Exposition
EXPO 2005 Gets Off to a Lively Start in Aichi, Japan
Nagakue, Japan (ots/PRNewswire)
The 2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan, opened in the Nagoya Eastern Hills of Aichi Prefecture on March 25. Over a period of 185 days until September 25, a variety of exhibits and events based on the theme of "Nature's Wisdom" is scheduled to unfold at the Expo site spanning the town of Nagakute and the cities of Toyota and Seto.
Many dignitaries have visited the site in the first week since the Expo's opening, including French President Jacques Chirac and Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai.
EXPO 2005 is the biggest World Exposition ever held in Japan in terms of the number of official participants-121 countries, including Japan, and 4 international organizations. Organizers expect approximately 15 million visitors during the Expo, which is aimed at creating a prosperous society that exists in harmony with nature.
One day before opening to the general public, an opening ceremony was held on March 24 in the presence of 2,400 guests, including Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress and His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince of Japan, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, and officials of the Japanese and foreign governments.
The opening ceremony's lively program included a robot competition between Sony's QRIO, Honda's ASIMO, and Toyota's Partner Robots-which can play musical instruments-and a performance by an orchestra made up of outstanding musicians from leading ensembles around the world. There were performances of kabuki, a traditional Japanese stage art, as well as messages, choral singing, and performances by children.
The first-ever World Exposition was held roughly 150 years ago in London in 1851. While past Expos focused on introducing first Expo of the twenty-first century will explore lifestyles and technologies that could offer solutions to environmental and other issues confronting humanity. The eco-conscious site will serve as the stage for a Grand Intercultural Symphony, and citizens, NPOs, and NGOs will be the main actors in a number of events for the first time in a World Exposition.
Contact:
Ayumi Okamoto, PR and Advertising Office, Japan Association for the
2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan, E-mail: okamotoa@expo2005.or.jp