International Participants Meeting (IPM) Held - Approximately 200 Representatives from 80 Countries and International Organizations Participate

Group photo of participant representatives

The GREEN×EXPO Association (Official Name: Public Interest Incorporated Association 2027 International Horticultural Expo Association, Chairman: Yoshinobu Tsutsui, Location: Naka-ku, Yokohama) held the "International Participants Meeting" (hereinafter referred to as IPM) for the 2027 International Horticultural Expo (GREEN×EXPO 2027) on Tuesday, June 30, and Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at Pacifico Yokohama.

This meeting was attended by exhibition representatives from 80 countries and international organizations. Specific information required for participation in GREEN×EXPO 2027 and procedures to be taken by official participants during future preparations were explained, along with active exchanges of opinions with official participants. On the second day, breakout sessions were held according to exhibition type, providing more detailed and specific information regarding exhibition preparation and operation, and addressing questions from attendees. International exhibitions are the main attraction of an international exposition, and they are a major draw for GREEN×EXPO 2027. The Association will provide maximum support to further accelerate the exhibition preparations of each official participant towards the event.

<IPM Meeting Overview>

● Meeting Name: IPM (International Participants Meeting) (Japanese Name: 国際参加者会議)

● Dates: Tuesday, June 30, and Wednesday, July 1, 2026

● Venue: Pacifico Yokohama Conference Center (Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture)

● Participants: Exhibition representatives from countries and international organizations that have expressed their intention to participate.

● Number of Participating Countries/Organizations and People: 80 (74 countries, 6 international organizations), approximately 200 people

<June 30 (Day 1 of IPM)>

Opening Remarks (Titles omitted)

● Masato Kawamura, Secretary General, Public Interest Incorporated Association 2027 International Horticultural Expo Association

I hope that by holding the International Participants Meeting: IPM here in Yokohama and bringing together all the countries and international organizations participating in GREEN×EXPO 2027 for face-to-face discussions, we can further strengthen communication with you all and accelerate preparations.

● Yoshinobu Tsutsui, Chairman, Public Interest Incorporated Association 2027 International Horticultural Expo Association (Video Message)

This exposition will become richer and more attractive as your cultures, technologies, wisdom, and visions for the future come together. I have great expectations that your creative exhibitions will bring inspiration and discovery to many visitors and deliver hope for the future. Over the next two days, in addition to explanations regarding exhibition preparations, we will also offer individual consultations at our one-stop shop. The GREEN×EXPO Association will also provide full support to ensure that you can exhibit in the best possible way.

● Jun Niimi, Government Commissioner for the 2027 International Horticultural Expo

This meeting is the first opportunity for representatives of international participating organizations to gather, marking an important milestone on the road to GREEN×EXPO 2027. I hope that the exchanges of opinions over these two days will contribute to the smooth and successful progress of your preparations for participation in the exposition. We ask for your continued support and cooperation to make GREEN×EXPO 2027, which embodies innovation, sustainability, and harmony between humanity and nature, a success.

● Dimitri Kerkentzes, Secretary General, Bureau International des Expositions (BIE)

The success of an exposition is ultimately measured not by its structures or landscapes, but by the ideas, experiences, and perspectives that participants bring to it. Just as the world gathered at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai to explore how we can design future societies for our lives, the 2027 International Horticultural Expo offers us an opportunity to reconsider the foundation of nature that supports such societies.

Ministerial Greetings (Titles omitted)

● Noriyuki Kaneko, Minister in charge of the International Horticultural Expo

Yokohama Green Expo is a new type of international horticultural expo that, in addition to the appeal of flowers, greenery, agriculture, and food, also addresses global environmental issues such as climate change. Let us all work together to create the theme of this expo, "Scenery of the Future for Happiness," and powerfully communicate its achievements to the world.

● Norikazu Suzuki, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

I understand that the participating countries and organizations are preparing attractive exhibits that leverage the unique characteristics of their respective regions. I sincerely hope that this IPM will serve as an opportunity to further facilitate smooth preparations for the opening and lead to fruitful outcomes. Moving forward, in close cooperation with all participating countries and organizations, we want to create a venue where as many visitors as possible can rediscover the appeal of horticulture and food, and think about a sustainable future.

General Session for Participation in GREEN×EXPO 2027

In the general session, the Association provided specific and practical information necessary for each official participant's exhibition, including venue concept, visitor transportation, logistics, health and safety measures, accreditation, on-site communication, cashless payments, sustainability, public relations, and bank account opening. This was followed by an exchange of opinions.

Joint Press Conference by BIE Secretary General and GREEN×EXPO Association Secretary General

A joint press conference was held to conclude the first day of IPM.

Scene of the joint press conference

● Masato Kawamura, Secretary General, Public Interest Incorporated Association 2027 International Horticultural Expo Association

We are holding the International Participants Meeting, IPM, today and tomorrow, with the official participants responsible for international exhibitions, representatives and practitioners from countries and international organizations, gathering together for GREEN×EXPO 2027, which is now just three months away. Currently, the official participating countries and international organizations are in the process of finalizing exhibition content, considering display items, and completing necessary procedures, based on the theme of GREEN×EXPO 2027, "Scenery of the Future for Happiness." We will also utilize this IPM opportunity to provide solid support for the exhibition preparations of the official participating countries, aiming to realize attractive international exhibitions.

Welcome Reception

Greetings (Titles omitted)

● Takeharu Yamashina, Mayor of Yokohama

Yokohama, as the "Gateway to Japan," has continuously embraced and disseminated diverse global cultures and new values. I strongly hope that by bringing together your wisdom and passion, this exposition will become a symbol of hope that promotes a new step towards the future. The City of Yokohama, in strong partnership with you all, will make every effort towards the success of the Yokohama Green Expo and the realization of a sustainable society.

● Yasuyuki Sakai, Vice-Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

With less than nine months remaining until the opening, preparations are entering their final stages, and the Green Expo mood is building, with decorated buses running throughout the city. With the participation of over 70 countries and international organizations today, I can already envision wonderful gardens and exhibits rich in international character, and I am excited about it. Let us all work together to create an expo that Japan can be proud of on the world stage.

● Yukinori Nemoto, Vice-Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

The Japanese government is also preparing the Japan Pavilion and Garden, along with the overall venue preparations. We aim to provide visitors with an opportunity to experience the essence of Japanese culture, such as Japanese gardens, ikebana, and bonsai, and to think about global environmental issues, while also widely disseminating Japan's cutting-edge technologies and initiatives.

● Yuji Kuroiwa, Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture

With only eight and a half months left until the opening of GREEN×EXPO 2027, I myself have been traveling across the country from Hokkaido to Okinawa to promote the horticultural expo. Furthermore, by creating "Tunk Tunk" with origami, a Japanese tradition, we aim to raise enthusiasm for GREEN×EXPO and get everyone excited. We want to create a wonderful exposition that will be a lifelong memory for everyone who visits GREEN×EXPO, so we ask for your cooperation.

● Takashi Ueno, President, Yokohama Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Currently, throughout Yokohama City, citizens, businesses, and the government are working together to build momentum for GREEN×EXPO 2027 and ensure its success. I sincerely hope that from Yokohama, we can send a powerful message to the world that strengthens the bonds between nature and people, and the bonds between people.

<July 1 (Wednesday) (Day 2 of IPM)>

Various Breakout Sessions for Participation in GREEN×EXPO 2027

Breakout sessions were held according to exhibition type. The Association provided a wide range of information on the operational details of support programs and on exhibition interior design and operations.

Excursion

On July 1, an excursion was held to Sankeien Garden and the GREEN×EXPO 2027 venue site in Kamiyaseya to deepen understanding of Yokohama and foster exchange among participants.

Meeting between BIE Secretary General Kerkentzes and Chairman Tsutsui of the Public Interest Incorporated Association 2027 International Horticultural Expo Association

On July 1, a meeting was held between BIE Secretary General Kerkentzes and Chairman Tsutsui at the Keidanren Kaikan. Opinions were exchanged on the significance of GREEN×EXPO 2027, addressing challenges towards the opening, and cooperation with the BIE.