日本語  |
Shoichi Nakagawa Minister of Economy, Trade & Industry |
Japan
As the Minister responsible for the 2005 International Exposition in Aichi, Japan, it is a great honour for me to welcome visitors to the Australia pavilion.
On behalf of the Government of Japan, allow me to express our sincere gra-titude to Australia for its participation in the first World Exposition of the 21st century, announced by Prime Minister Howard and Prime Minister Koizumi during their July 2003 talks. Japan is proud to have participated in the 1888 Australia Centennial International Exhibition in Melbourne. Australia’s presence at this Expo reflects our close political, economic, and cultural ties.
Australia and Japan share a commitment to democracy and free-market economic principles, and have long enjoyed an excellent relationship. Our bilateral trade is complementary: Australia supplies Japan with raw materials such as natural resources, and in return Japan provides manufactured goods, reflecting our respective industrial structures. Many of our cities boast sister-city relationships with extensive personal exchange; Australia and Japan have deep and enduring ties across a broad range of fields.
The Australia pavilion is divided into three areas representing the past, present and future, which express the theme of the Expo, “Nature’s Wisdom” through the Australia pavilion’s theme, “For those coming behind us”. The potential of Australian industry is show-cased in a purpose-built business floor. Japanese-speaking guides provide additional explanations for visitors. The Australia pavilion is remarkable in enabling visitors to enjoy economic and human exchange while embodying Expo’s theme of “Nature’s Wisdom”.
I am confident that Expo 2005 will not only stimulate economic growth, but also foster trust and understanding between our two countries by promoting cultural and grassroots ex-change. I sincerely hope that Expo 2005 will contribute to the success of the Australia-Japan Year of Exchange in 2006, which will be a turning point in bilateral relations as we mark the 30th anniversary of the Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Japan and Australia. Moreover, I hope that the children who will carry our future on their shoulders – our most important future resources – will visit Expo 2005 to exchange thoughts, hopes, and dreams as they experience the theme of “Nature’s Wisdom” presented in the Australia pavilion, the Japan Pavilion, and other areas of the magnificent Expo site.
