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Edo Secrets Bloom: Japan's Green Expo Unveils Sustainable Past
18 Oct
Summary
- Expo highlights Edo period's circular economy and waste-reduction principles.
- Reusable materials from Osaka Expo are incorporated into Yokohama's event.
- Event aims to shift perceptions on human relationship with nature.
Yokohama is preparing to host the Green Expo, an international horticulture event set to open on March 19, 2027, and run until September 26, 2027. Set on a 100-hectare site formerly used by the U.S. military, the expo will feature ten million plants, including 600 cherry trees. Its theme, "The Blooming Field of Planetary Citizens," focuses on humanity's connection to nature and the necessity of global cooperation for environmental challenges.
The expo will highlight sustainable practices from Japan's Edo Period (1603-1867), a time characterized by a flourishing circular economy and minimal waste. Concepts like 'mottainai' (regret over waste) were deeply ingrained, with strict regulations on resource use. Organizers are drawing inspiration from this era to promote a 'Japanese model' for sustainable development.
Innovative approaches from the Edo Period are being revived, such as the reuse of timber from the Osaka Expo's Grand Ring structure for the Yokohama event. This demonstrates a commitment to circularity and a zero-waste society. The expo also aims to learn from past events like the Osaka Expo, implementing measures to mitigate issues such as extreme summer heat.
Organizers anticipate attracting 10 million visitors, aiming to elevate awareness of environmental issues beyond a mere display of flowers. The event is a formally authorized national expo designed to encourage a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness between daily life and nature, especially in light of declining urgency regarding climate change in Japan.
