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Prime Minister Attends the Closing Ceremony of EXPO 2005 Aichi, Japan Sunday, September 25, 2005 JAPANESE Click photographs to enlarge Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi attended the closing ceremony of the EXPO 2005 Aichi, Japan held in Aichi Prefecture. The EXPO 2005 Aichi, Japan participated by 121 countries and four international organizations and held over the course of six months came to an end on this day. The first international exposition of the 21st century held under the theme of "Nature's Wisdom" welcomed approximately 22 million visitors, far exceeding the initial target of 15 million. On its final day, the closing ceremony and other events were held, and a chorus of all relevant members of the participating countries and international organizations drew the 185-day exposition to a close. At the closing ceremony which was attended by approximately 2,250 people in the presence of His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince, who is serving as the Honorary President of EXPO 2005, Prime Minister Koizumi delivered an address stating, "It is my deepest wish that EXPO 2005 Aichi will help to realize a society in which humankind and nature can live in harmony." The Japan Association for the 2005 World Exposition had established a target of 15 million visitors considering such factors as the size of the venues. In the end, the number of visitors surpassed this target by more than seven million and set a record among the international expositions held in Japan after the Osaka World Exposition and the International Garden and Greenery Exposition, Osaka. Related Link: Address by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi at the Closing Ceremony of EXPO 2005 Aichi, Japan View Video (Available only in Japanese) Real(Narrowband) / Real(Broadband) Windows Media(Narrowband) / Windows Media(Broadband)