EXPO 2005, Aichi

EXPO 2005 runs for six months until Sept. 25 and features 84 pavilions, with exhibits and events form 120 nations, international organizations, NGOs and NPOs. The theme of the EXPO is Nature's Wisdom, and the site has a highly ecological design with an emphasis on recycling and sustainability. Site transportation systems showcase eco-friendly concepts and future technology is dramatically represented by large numbers of robots, including multilingual robot information guides.

Lacquer Reborn

Japanese lacquer ware has been famous for centuries, and the skills of Japan's artisans are unmatched. In response to a decline in the use of this beautiful traditional material due to the westernizing of Japanese lifestyles, various projects have successfully sought to make lacquer usable on a wider range of modern materials, like metal, plastics and glass. Old lacquer coating techniques have also proved ideal for many new applications.

Cultivating the Tuna

The tuna, a large fish that can reach 5 m and 500 kg, is common to the northerly current that flows by Japan. It has always been a favorite food of the Japanese, and became a main element in sushi about 400 years ago. World fish stocks are declining, and the future of tuna was worrying since it had been impossible to cultivate this fish artificially. But now a Japanese university fisheries laboratory has managed the difficult task of achieving a full artificial breeding cycle, the future of this fish seems secure.

The Island that Runs on Water

Yakushima Island, with its ancient forests, is known as a World Heritage Site. But this small island is also the site of leading edge experiment to create a society with zero CO2 emissions. Plentiful rainfall means the island can be completely powered by hydroelectricity, which is also used for experimental electric vehicles. Other vehicles are powered by pollution-free hydrogen fuel made from local resources. The island community also has a well developed waste recycling system.