Japan will highlight ecological technology in its pavilion at World Expo 2010, and the role technology can play to help humans achieve a more comfortable and confident life.

The country signed a participation contract with Expo organizers yesterday, and revealed their pavilion would be a huge "breathing organism", which would express the harmony between the human heart and technology.

Technology can contribute to a cleaner world and a better life, helping people find tranquillity and confidence, said Hiroshi Tsukamoto, commissioner general of the Japanese section of Expo 2010. But technology should be guided by our love of the earth, of all people and of our children, he stressed.

The concept is an extension of the theme of Japan's Aichi Expo 2005, which was "Nature's Wisdom", and also an interpretation of the "Better City, Better Life" Shanghai Expo theme, Tsukamoto said.

Japan's pavilion has secured a 6,000-square-meter plot. The 24-meter-high construction is the largest the country has ever built for a World Expo. It is also one of the largest pavilions at the Expo.

The pavilion will be divided into past, present and future exhibits, and make use of natural resources with solar energy collection batteries and a double-layer membrane that can filter sunshine, all part of Japan's vision of how technology can improve our lives.

Visitors will be able to experience some Chinese elements at Japan's pavilion, which will involve Chinese characters and traditional Chinese architectural styles. The history of Japanese diplomatic envoys visiting China will be part of the exhibit.

Intelligent robots will also be displayed at the pavilion, but Tsukamoto declined to reveal more information in order to maintain an element of surprise.

The country's pavilion and exhibition will, for the first time, be jointly supported by corporations as well as national and regional governments, said Tsukamoto.

"Japan has gathered the country's whole power for the Shanghai event," he said.

Japan is a member of the International Expositions Bureau. It has hosted five World Expos including the Osaka Expo in 1970, which set an Expo record, receiving more than 64 million visitors.

So far, 255 countries, regions and international organizations have confirmed their participation at Expo 2010.

(Shanghai Daily October 28, 2008)