Japanese Pavilion has a nickname

The Chinese name for the Japan Pavilion, literally means "Purple Silkworm Island"

Hiroshi Tsukamoto, Commissioner General of the Japanese Section Expo Shanghai 2010, introduce the logo of the Japan Pavilion

An artist's rendition of the Japan Pavilion

An artist's rendition of the Japan Pavilion

An artist's rendition of the Japan Pavilion

The Japanese Pavilion now has a nickname, “Zi Can Dao” (“Purple Silkworm Island”), describing both the color and the shape of the Japanese Pavilion.

The Japanese organizer has also announced the logo for the Japanese Pavilion — Smile to Smile. The logo is composed of four abstract smiling faces to convey the message of a union of minds.

The Japanese Pavilion will be the largest overseas venue ever built by Japanese government. Capable of accommodating 1,500 people at once, the pavilion will be divided into three parts dedicated to the past, present and future. A complete tour of the Japanese Pavilion will take 60 minutes.

The pavilion will receive an estimated 3,000,000 visitors during the Expo.

A robot violinist will make its debut on the stage of the second section in the pavilion. Other robots capable of taking care of the old will be on display.

Performers will stage a musical depicting a dream of a harmonious future in the third part of the pavilion. It will be the first time a live Japanese musical will be staged at an overseas Expo pavilion.

This is also the first time when Japanese government has joined business in the Expo. The budget of the pavilion is 13 billion yen (US$1.31 billion) and the government expects half of this will come from supporting businesses.

The government has raised 6.2 billion yen (US$62.7 million) from 22 businesses so far.