Despite environmental concerns about Japan's proposed 2005 world exposition, a top official on Monday said Aichi Prefecture is expected to register its plan at the general assembly of the Paris-based International Bureau of Expositions (BIE) in May. "The important thing is for us to continue efforts to have the expo in accordance with its theme of 'the wisdom of nature' and to win the understanding of those concerned. But we may go ahead with the proceedings," vice trade minister Katsusada Hirose said at a press conference. Hirose made the comment in reference to meetings held in Paris last week between BIE President Gilles Noghes and a Japanese delegation consisting of officials from the prefectural government and the Ministry of International Trade and Industry. The meetings followed BIE's criticism of Aichi's plan to build housing complexes on the expo site after the event. During the meetings, Noghes reportedly asked Japan to have Aichi postpone its planned registration in May to host the 2005 exposition. However, BIE rules require an exposition organizer to register its plan five years before the event. "We were given amicable suggestions (during the meetings)," Hirose said. "Keeping them in mind, we're now determined to give (the plan) a broad examination in order to win understanding of those concerned."
