SPECIAL REPORT Harmony between the Environment, Technology and the Earth: The 2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan Interviewee – Mari Christine, Interviewer – Tsuchiya Hiroshi Tsuchiya: The World Exposition, Aichi, forth. Expositions have traditionally goshawks, which are designated as a cat- Japan will be held for half a year starting had the purpose of exhibiting technolo- egory two threatened species on the on March 25, 2005. Mari Christine is gy and industry and of transforming Environment Ministry’s Red List, had the Public Relations Producer for EXPO rough landscapes into beautiful areas. built nests in the Kaisho Forest. 2005. The 2005 exposition, however, will be However, as a result of listening to the The Osaka Expo was held when I was a held in the former Aichi Youth Park, opinions of concerned local parties and student, and I get excited when I hear and from this perspective, the event will environmentalists, land in the Nagakute about world expositions. What are the have a unique atmosphere unlike world Area of the Youth Park was chosen as an main aims of EXPO 2005? expositions held in the past. alternative site. I should point out that During the World Summit on there is no difference between the two Christine: The Aichi Expo is the second Sustainable Development held in locations in terms of our commitment one to be held in Japan after Osaka in Johannesburg in 2002, there were dis- to taking good care of the environment. 1970, and it is the first world exposition cussions about the concept of the Japanese people have traditionally val- of the 21st century. As a country, Japan “Global Loop” and plans to build it as ued nature, and during discussions with is extremely fond of Western languages, an above ground corridor at the expo the Bureau International des Expositions and their use is becoming more preva- site in Aichi (see rough map of the site (BIE, or International Bureau of lent in the media, Western words are on page 44). The symbolic meaning of Expositions) about holding the first being used more readily. “Exposition” is this loop also expresses the importance world exposition of the 21st century in one of these words, and it is now fre- of the ground by not setting foot on the Japan, it was proposed to hold an “envi- quently used for a variety of events from natural environment. The summit par- ronmental exposition” that stressed the small flower exhibits to amusement ticipants in Johannesburg told us that importance of forests. park-type events. I believe foreigners this was a wonderful concept. At expo- We adopted extremely high standards perhaps have a clearer understanding sition sites in the past, soil was moved in our own independent assessment of than Japanese about the weight of the and structures were built on top of the environmental impact of holding the word “expo.” The sheer magnitude of a destroyed natural ecosystems. With exposition. We set a high hurdle for world exposition is extremely important. EXPO 2005, however, we are working to ourselves, and in so doing, the exposi- The first world exposition was held in minimize the impact as much as possible tion site has undergone an extremely London’s Hyde Park in 1851. Since in an effort to leave the site better than ambitious assessment. then, they have been held in various when we found it. The Global Loop is After the exposition ends, structures countries around the world. In France, premised on one of the ideas behind required by the prefecture, local author- for example, public structures such as ecotourism, which is to leave the envi- ities and prefectural residents, will be the Eiffel Tower and Petit Palais were ronment in better condition than when left intact for use, while on the rest of built because of expositions, and these you found it. the site, the natural environment will be structures still remain today. In this Additionally, the loop is intended to restored to its original state. As a result, sense, while the exposition represented a give visitors a sense of traveling around pavilions will also be temporary struc- great historic event for France, it also the world and it symbolizes the coun- tures, and the pavilion modules can be provided social infrastructure. In the tries of the world joining hands to form reused for other purposes after the same way, social infrastructure elements an uninterrupted link. Expo. Concerning garbage and other also remain from the Osaka Expo in issues, although it cannot be eliminated 1970. Tsuchiya: The site is separated into two completely, we have maintained a single EXPO 2005 will perhaps be the first areas. In which area is the Global Loop ideology and philosophy of working to world exposition in Japanese history in located? reduce its environmental impact to the which no structures will remain after the greatest possible extent. There are a expo is over. In other words, this expo- Christine: The loop is located in the variety of ways to achieve this, includ- sition is not about investing in social Nagakute Area of the Youth Park. The ing building modules from recyclable infrastructure. However, although no expo site also includes the Seto Area, materials and using timber from forest buildings or other physical structures where the Kaisho Forest is located. The thinning, and starting with the previ- will remain, we hope this exposition will Seto Area was chosen as the exposition ously mentioned assessment, presenta- be truly impressive in terms of ideas, site prior to the revelation of several tion and project planning have given points of view, the environment and so problems, including the fact that rare maximum consideration to the environ- 42 JAPAN SPOTLIGHT • March / April 2004 SPECIAL REPORT The 2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan Location: Nagoya Eastern Hills (Nagakute Town, Toyota City and Seto City) Duration: March 25-Sept. 25, 2005 (total of 185 days) Expected number of visitors: approx. 15 million Tokyo Aichi Osaka Mari Christine, a public relations producer for EXPO 2005 ment. Christine: Aichi is located in the Chubu scheduled to open in February 2005, region, which is roughly in the middle one month prior to the opening of EXPO Tsuchiya: What is the status of the prepa- of Japan. I think foreigners will perhaps 2005 in Aichi. rations, including fund raising? recognize this area as one of Japan’s main industrial centers and home to, Tsuchiya: Where will visitors to the expo- Christine: Raising funds is still a major just to mention a few, such companies sition stay? challenge. With that said, past exposi- as Toyota Motor Corp., Noritake Co. tions have enjoyed large national bud- and Okura China, Inc. As this region Christine: We expect visitors are most gets and money could be spent lavishly. has the highest GDP in Japan, foreign likely to stay in the areas surrounding This exposition, however, is being held business people and engineers have like- the exposition site. There are many following the collapse of the economic ly had many opportunities to visit the hotels in Nagoya, the capital of Aichi bubble, and further, in these times there prefecture. Aichi’s industry supports Prefecture. Nagoya is about 20km west are questions about whether large sums Japan, but at the same time, these activi- of the exposition site, and it takes about of money should be used for expositions ties place a burden on the environment. 40 minutes to travel there by train. in already developed countries. However, a large number of companies Consequently, in a sense, I believe this is in the Chubu region have acquired ISO Tsuchiya: Could you explain the exposi- an extremely experimental exposition. (International Standardization Organi- tion’s basic concept of “Nature’s Wisdom,” Because it will have an impact on future zation) certification, and like Toyota, as well as its sub-themes of “Nature’s expositions, EXPO 2005 has a great which is developing environmentally Matrix,” “Art of Life” and “Development responsibility, and we are all working to friendly cars, many companies are for Eco-Communities.” make it a success. involved in environment-related busi- nesses. In this sense, going forward, we Christine: The basic concept has envi- Tsuchiya: Currently, what is the total cannot protect the global environment ronmental and ecological roots, and I scope of the project? without technology. Whether using feel it is fair to say that this is the first technology to protect the environment exposition to focus on the environment. Christine: The total cost is ¥190 billion, or restoring destroyed habitats, we are When hearing the concept “Nature’s which includes ¥135 billion in construc- unable to talk about the future of the Wisdom,” some BIE members wondered tion expenses. global environment without considering about the idea of there being “wisdom technology. From this perspective, I in nature,” but ultimately, I believe Tsuchiya: What is Aichi’s geographical believe this is the most suitable location nothing compares to nature. Nature position within Japan? for this exposition. Additionally, the itself can be the best way to restore Central Japan International Airport is nature. Unless humans provide obsta- JAPAN SPOTLIGHT • March / April 2004 43 SPECIAL REPORT Photo: Japan Association for the 2005 World Exposition Seto Area Nagakute Area Interactive Fun Zone Global Loop Central Zone Japan Zone Forest Experience Zone cles, the earth can survive on its own. and of course, the peace of the earth. Further, if a developing country is Consequently, humans must live in a The key phrase for this exposition, a unable to dispose of its own waste and manner that does not interfere with the “Grand Intercultural Symphony,” was dumps it into the sea, it will have an regenerative powers of the earth.