Gary Oba, principal officer of the U.S. Consulate in Nagoya, said Wednesday he intends to urge U.S. state governments to participate in the 2005 World Exposition to be held in Aichi Prefecture.
The United States has decided not to participate in the expo as a nation in accordance with revisions made to its federal law.
Oba, however, expressed his willingness to prod state governments and private-sector firms to take part in the expo, which will focus on the environment.
The consul, who became principal officer on Monday, wore a green expo pin on his jacket at his first news conference and said he looks forward to the event despite the federal restrictions.