The 2002 Top Ten News Selected by Secretary-General Harumi Sakamoto

  1. His Imperial Highness, Crown Prince Naruhito takes office as honorary president of EXPO 2005 Aichi, Japan (Exposition of Global Harmony) (June 29)
  2. Groundbreaking ceremony at the EXPO site (October 17)
  3. Environmental effects assessment report produced and published (June 25)
  4. Nickname for the 2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan chosen to be “Exposition of Global Harmony” (January 25)
  5. Admission charge system decided (November 8)
  6. Nine private-sector pavilions decided (July)
  7. Producer organization finalized (May 24)
  8. Official mascots for EXPO 2005 Aichi, Japan chosen (March 25) and official theme song for the EXPO 2005 composed and performed (October 17)
  9. First International Council of EXPO 2005 Aichi, Japan (ICE5), and International Planning Meeting held (May 20 and October 22–23)
  10. Development of scheme for civic participation makes progress (December)

[Other major news]
Races supporting EXPO 2005 Aichi, Japan, organized in public-operated games