Japanese singer Shinji Tanimura (R) speaks during the opening ceremony of the promotion week of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, in Tokyo, Japan, March 24, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

"Through the Beijing Olympics and the Shanghai Expo, we expect to share fruits of China's reform and opening up with friends from all nations, and are willing to build a platform on which China may express its good will and resolution to preserve world peace, to work for global harmony and to seek common development," Cui said.

Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura highly praised the Shanghai Expo's theme of "Better City, Better Life," saying that the slogan reflected organizers' taking into consideration the harmonious coexistence of human being and the nature, and their active desire to lead in fields such as environment protection as the city develops.

Komura, who is chairman of a Japanese parliamentary members' organization supporting the Shanghai Expo, said Japan is willing to contribute for the success of the Shanghai Expo with its experience obtained through hosting the Aichi Expo three years ago in Nagoya.

Japanese House of Councillors president Satsuki Eda and former Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu also attended the ceremony.

According to officials of the Expo organizing committee, four trains running on lines across Tokyo have been decorated with the Expo signs outside and pictures featuring Shanghai inside.

The trains will be moving exhibitions for the Expo, an official told Xinhua.