Japan's National Day was celebrated at the Expo on Saturday with a lengthy parade running down the exhibition's main avenue, the Decumano, complete with dancing, drums, shows of calligraphy, and a performance by Japan's favourite pop singer. A conference on innovation and sustainability was held as well on top of other events in Milan.

The celebrations began in the morning with the raising of Japan's flag in the presence of Japan's First Lady, Akie Abe, and Japan's Minister of Agriculture, Yoshimasa Hayashi, who were welcomed by Italian Minister of Agriculture Maurizio Martina and Expo Commissioner Giuseppe Sala, according to Italian News Agency (AGI) yesterday.