First lady Wu Shu-jen (
Responding to reports that Wu plans to attend World Exposition 2005 in Aichi Prefecture, which runs for six months from tomorrow to Sept. 25, Koh said in a question-and-answer session in the legislature that "there is no problem at all" in arranging Wu's visit to Japan.
The diplomat said that he has not yet discussed Wu's possible trip "with the Presidential Office," and that he is not involved in setting Wu's itinerary in Japan. Koh, however, mentioned that a Japanese university wanted to confer an honorary degree on Wu.
When Koh discussed the university's proposal with Japanese officials, they talked about the possibility of Wu's visiting the exposition, he said.
To attract visitors to the exposition, Japan has granted Taiwanese tourists visa-exempt entry from this month to September.
But five Taiwanese leaders and officials -- President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮), Premier Frank Hsieh (謝長廷), Minister of Foreign Affairs Mark Chen (陳唐山) and Minister of National Defense Lee Jye (李傑) -- would still have to obtain the Japanese government's approval if they wanted to travel to Japan, Koh said.
The Japanese government has also placed 49 senior Taiwanese officials and other prominent figures -- Wu included -- on a list of people who would have to notify Japan of their trips ten days in advance. The list is applicable to the exposition period, Koh said.
The exposition, which will take place in Aichi Prefecture's Nagoya Eastern Hills with sites in Nagakute, Toyota City and Seto City, is expected to draw around 15 million visitors.
The exposition is inspired by "the marvelous mechanism of nature and the power of life," its organizers said, adding that they hope to "bring the world together for the creation of a global society allowing the multitude of cultures and civilizations to coexist together" through the event.
The Japanese government, Koh said, has permitted Taiwan to set up a zone in the exposition to introduce Taiwanese delicacies and agricultural products.
Several Taiwanese performing arts groups, including the Cloud Gate Dance Theatre and the Lanyang Dance Troupe, will perform in a major venue in the exposition for five days in late June and early July.
"Taiwan's participation in Expo Aichi can promote the country's quality products, increase trade opportunities and promote Taiwanese culture," Koh said.
Taiwan will host a grand exposition in 2008 and some Taiwanese officials have left for Japan to learn how to organize such an event from the example of the Expo Aichi, Koh said.
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Aichi hoping to get big boost from expo
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