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On December 26, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the first meeting of the Japan Exposition Comprehensive Promotion Council at the Prime Minister’s Office.
 
During the meeting, an exchange of views took place on the Japan Exposition.
 
Based on the exchange of views, the Prime Minister said,
 
“I would like to express my profound gratitude to everyone for attending this meeting of the Japan Exposition Comprehensive Promotion Council today during this busy time of the year.
 
We recently learned of the truly sudden passing of Mr. Masahiko Tsugawa, the greatest contributor to this vision to host a Japan Exposition. His passing came just as we were about to mark a series of major achievements, thanks to the tremendous contributions made by numerous people, beginning with the ‘Masterpieces of Japanese Buddhist Sculpture’ exhibition in Italy, followed by Japonisme 2018. Even now I cannot find words to describe my sadness.
 
As Mr. Tsugawa repeatedly expressed, his vision was to hold, as a culmination of those efforts, a Japan Exposition in 2020, when the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games will be held and Japan will catch the world’s attention, so that people would visit Japan from around the world and experience the beauty of Japan in various regions for themselves. I myself would like to make the Japan Exposition a culmination of our efforts to introduce and further deepen understanding of the culture and beauty of Japan in all areas of the world.                 
 
Fortunately, many people have gone to see Japonisme 2018. Its large turnout has exceeded our expectations, and it is still being held with great success. As some of you also mentioned earlier, I would like to make this Japan Exposition a project of unmatched depth and scope, which attempts to systematically exhibit the beauty of Japan from the Jomon period* to the present, across a variety of sub-themes, under its overall theme of ‘Japanese people and nature.’    
 
Today, we received valuable advice from you based on your respective knowledge and insight. Thank you very much. I would like to ask for your continued cooperation. In light of the direction we discussed today, I ask the relevant ministries to work together under the leadership of the Agency for Cultural Affairs to make all possible preparations for the Japan Exposition, with the cooperation of relevant companies and organizations.”
 
*The period of Japanese history dated between 14,000-300 BCE.