Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, has visited the Japan pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa or South Asia.
He explored the innovations on display, such as the “cities of the future” experience, the sustainability aspect of Japanese architecture and smart transportation, ministry officials said on Friday.
Dr Al Jaber met Akio Isomata, Japan's ambassador to the UAE, and was briefed on the latest technological developments.
They discussed bilateral relations between the UAE and Japan and opportunities for collaboration — especially in priority sectors such as future industries, space, advanced technology and petrochemicals.
Bilateral trade between the UAE and Japan reached $30.5 billion last year, with the Emirates' exports there rising to $24bn. UAE imports from Japan increased to $6.5bn by the end of 2021, according to the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development.
Last month, the department urged Japanese investors and entrepreneurs to benefit from investment opportunities and the ease of doing business in the UAE capital, as the emirate seeks to attract more foreign investors.
The host delegation at Japan's Expo pavilion, which is themed Where Ideas Meet, highlighted the key role the country plays in international partnerships and collaborations — especially as it prepares to host Expo 2025 in Osaka.
Dr Al Jaber also reviewed unique uses of virtual reality, artificial intelligence and Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies in the reimagining of smart cities.
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Japan’s pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai promises visitors an immersive experience that is hoped will leave them eager to visit the East Asian country. All photos: Victor Besa/The National. -
An exhibition of tiny figurines tells the stories of Japan’s space exploration efforts, food scene and passion for anime. -
The figurines area tells the story of Japan’s space exploration efforts, food scene and passion for anime. -
Most of the exterior is covered in Japanese origami shapes, which symbolises respect shown to other through Japanese art of origata gift-wrapping. -
Japanese innovation is not solely about high-end technology; it has drawn inspiration from both nature and traditional culture. Visitors can explore modern Japan and its future through a series of cute, elaborate miniatures using day-to-day objects. -
Expo 2025 will be held in Kansai and visitors to Japan's Expo pavilion in Dubai will be shown how ideas, actions, and challenges of people from around the world can come together. -
A tour of the Japan Pavilion at Expo 2020 site. Architecture by Yuko Nagayama/NTT Facilities. -
Explore modern Japan and its future through a series of cute, elaborate miniatures using day-to-day objects. -
Expo 2025 will be held in Kansai and visitors to Japan's Expo pavilion in Dubai will be shown how ideas, actions, and challenges of people from around the world can come together. -
Nagayama Yuko, the architect of the pavilion, said she used one of the Expo’s themes, ‘connecting’, as inspiration for the design. -
Visitors to the Japanese pavilion will walk through an infinity mirror room which juxtaposes their own images with those depicting social and environmental challenges facing the world today. -
Elaborate miniatures using day-to-day objects feature in the Japanese pavilion.
Expo 2020 Dubai is approaching 15 million visits after enjoying its biggest week yet.
Numbers were buoyed by top attractions such as a highly-anticipated performance by chart-topping British band Coldplay at Al Wasl Dome.
Other attractions included a star-studded tennis tournament, featuring famous names such as John McEnroe and Kim Clijsters, as well as a visit to the Serbia pavilion by world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, before his return to action in Dubai this week.
