SHANGHAI (Kyodo) The Shanghai World Expo marked "Japan Day" on Saturday, commencing a weeklong series of events to introduce traditional and contemporary Japanese arts and culture to visitors from China and other parts of the world.
"I hope the Shanghai Expo will contribute to ensuring world peace and strengthening cooperation between Japan and China," said former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, who is visiting the Expo as special envoy for new Prime Minister Naoto Kan, at a ceremony to mark Japan's national pavilion day.
Referring to an agreement that he made with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in late May to set up a "hotline" between Beijing and Tokyo, Hatoyama voiced confidence that the world's second- and third-largest economies will boost ties through such a channel.
"I'm sorry that I stepped down as prime minister" earlier this month, Hatoyama said, indicating regret that he did not come to Shanghai in the capacity of prime minister.
Hatoyama's Shanghai-born wife, Miyuki, clad in a kimono, and political and business leaders including former Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura, took part in the ceremony.
During talks with Chinese State Councilor Liu Yandong, Hatoyama stressed the importance of promoting youth exchanges as a way of enhancing bilateral relations.
