The Paradox of Meaning and Experience of Expo 70
Overwhelmingly the participants of the study viewed Expo 70 as highly significant and
very beneficial event for Japan. Many associated Expo 70 with the transformation on Japan
economically, social, and being welcomed back as a player in the world community. Yet,
Memories of Expo 70: Insights on Visitors’ Experiences and the Formation of Vivid Long-Term Memories - Dr David Anderson 11
interesting, most of the personal experiences that they described were negative in character –
frustrations, loss, heat, and psychological discomfort. This tension between personal experience
and national benefit and significance represents somewhat of a paradox of meaning.
That was probably the first time that it began to feel like it wasn’t the period after the war anymore. Yes,
so it did kind of feel like that theme [of expo] of the advancement of the human race [was real]. It felt
“wow… it wasn’t the period after the war anymore! P1
Nowdays we [Japan] have a global mind set, but back then we weren't thinking about the outside world!
And then suddenly, the world seemed close by, and everything seemed quite bright. P6
Nowdays it’s not a big deal to see things from other countries, but at that time it was very impressive for
us to see aspects of many different countries. And, also that Japan could hold such a great exposition
was a thing in itself. Now days it seems like we can easily hold these kinds of events with other countries,
but back them it wasn’t imaginable. P8
Expo 70 was the first time that Japan could join the world on the global stage. I was the first time for me
to see how countries and people are so independent from one another. I had seen foreigners before, but
not in that variety. So that was the first time I felt that Japan was level to the west [part of the world with
them]. P7