The 2002 Top Ten News Selected by Secretary-General Harumi Sakamoto
- His Imperial Highness, Crown Prince Naruhito takes office as honorary president of EXPO 2005 Aichi, Japan (Exposition of Global Harmony) (June 29)
- Groundbreaking ceremony at the EXPO site (October 17)
- Environmental effects assessment report produced and published (June 25)
- Nickname for the 2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan chosen to be “Exposition of Global Harmony” (January 25)
- Admission charge system decided (November 8)
- Nine private-sector pavilions decided (July)
- Producer organization finalized (May 24)
- Official mascots for EXPO 2005 Aichi, Japan chosen (March 25) and official theme song for the EXPO 2005 composed and performed (October 17)
- First International Council of EXPO 2005 Aichi, Japan (ICE5), and International Planning Meeting held (May 20 and October 22–23)
- Development of scheme for civic participation makes progress (December)
[Other major news]
Races supporting EXPO 2005 Aichi, Japan, organized in public-operated games