Expo links for the week of 14 september

- Thomas Daily Post from Japan - "Expo2005"

"Here's something else about the Expo: many pavilions, both national and corporate, have huge queues - lines that stretch for thousands of miles, out of Japan, across the ocean on specially designed floating bridges, through China, and back again. The most heavily packed queues are usually "The World of Tomorrow"-esque corporate pavilions like Toyota, Hitachi, and Mitsubishi, and cultural giants like the U.S., England, and Australia. Pavilions serving beer are also very popular ("You want to wait how long to see Belgium?")."

I wouldn't want to wait, Thomas, but who am I? NHK and other Japanese media did apparently a great job in promoting our 26 different beers to a large Japanese audience. It amazes me every day that people want to wait more than an hour for a waffle, a Belgian beer or Belgian fries...

- Japan Times - Quiet women's rights event draws full house

"Active Women of the World," a joint seminar by the United Nations and Saudi Arabia pavilions -- two small venues with only a few events -- was an opportunity for women from around the world to talk about the different experiences and common efforts of women trying to achieve empowerment and independence.

- Japan Today - Most foreign visitors to Aichi Expo had good impressions
I published this link more for the comments that followed this short article...

- Mainichi Daily News - Exhibitionist film makers 'Expo-se' World Fair from Ferris wheel

Police said the five were arrested for allowing the actress to remove her clothes while riding a Ferris wheel at the Aichi Expo and, for the following minute, allowed a young man to knead her breasts while being filmed. Footage of the incident was later screened on an adult cable TV channel. One viewer was shocked and alerted Aichi Expo organizers, who contacted the police, which led to the arrests.

Too funny, this story!

And with that news, I leave the Expo and Japan for a few days. See you back after a short trip to Guam!