DUBAI – Japan celebrated its National Day at Expo 2020 on 11 December with a colourful line-up of cultural and entertainment activities, including Aikido – modern Japanese martial art – a traditional Nanchu Soran dance performed by children, and a taiko drumming group creating a sense of unity courtesy of the thunderous beats and dynamic rhythms of taiko drums.
Celebrations continues at the Japan Pavilion and at venues across the Expo site including the Sun, Earth and Sea Plazas.
Her Excellency Sarah bint Yousef Al Amiri, UAE Minister of State for Advanced Technology, welcomed the Japanese delegation, led by His Excellency Akio Isomata, Ambassador of Japan to the UAE.
Her Excellency Al Amiri said: “We greatly appreciate the enthusiasm with which Japan has embraced our Expo theme, and value its commitment to creating an exhibition that utilises cutting-edge technologies to present rich Japanese content at Expo 2020 Dubai. Japan’s pavilion provides visitors with the incredible opportunity to experience how new interactions can lead to a brighter future through the exchange of ideas – as has been the case historically in Japan.
“We are proud of how our relations with Japan have evolved since the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two nations, with vast cooperation on the economic, cultural, scientific, and educational fronts…Japan has been a reliable partner of ours in our efforts to explore new horizons, and we believe that together, we can work to improve the human condition and sustain its progress.”
His Excellency Akio Isomata, said: “Allow me to congratulate the UAE on the successful hosting of the first-ever Expo taking place in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region with a great number of visitors from around the world and in the year of Golden Jubilee of the UAE. Although this Expo was postponed for a year due to the COVID 19, as Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games had to be, it has been clearly shown that the corona virus cannot deter us from forging ahead when we have wisdom and determination.
“Bilateral relations between Japan and the UAE has been developing over the past 50 years in a variety of areas beyond longstanding cooperation in the field of oil exploration and trade, such as infrastructure, renewable energy, outer space, food, health care, tourism, sports, creative industries, etc. As our two nations celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year, I believe potential for further development of our relations in the future is infinitely huge.”
The Land of the Rising Sun brought a slice of the Far East to the Expo site with activations including Kaoruko, a modern Japanese flower arranging class at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre; Takekawa Gakuen/Tomoe-kai, a workshop of Japanese traditional culture at Terra Auditorium; the Nihon Ki-in, a strategic board game at the Opportunity Forum; a Japanese bridal show on Jubilee Stage; and a Yukata wearing workshop (a Japanese summer kimono) on the Sun Stage.
With the Japan Pavilion paving the way for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, visitors to the pavilion are encouraged to share their ideas and messages for the next World Expo. The immersive experience also underscores the country’s commitment to technological expertise, with three-dimensional video projections amplified by ultra-fine mist plunging visitors into a new dimension.
National and Honour Days at Expo 2020 Dubai are moments to celebrate each of our 200-plus International Participants, shining a light on their culture and achievements and showcasing their pavilions and programming. Each features a flag-raising ceremony at the Stage of Nations in Al Wasl Plaza, followed by speeches and cultural performances.
Running until 31 March 2022, Expo 2020 has invited visitors from across the planet to join the making of a new world in a six-month celebration of human creativity, innovation, progress and culture.