<p style="margin:0mm; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="font-family:游明朝,serif"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:16.0pt">Two Representatives from Brazil Arrive in Japan! </span></b></span></span></p>

<p style="margin:0mm; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="font-family:游明朝,serif"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:16.0pt">Visit to the Brazil Pavilion</span></b></span></span></p>

<p><br />
<span style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="font-family:游明朝,serif"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:16.0pt">― Celebrating the 130th Anniversary of Japan–Brazil Diplomatic Relations </span></b></span></span></p>

<p style="margin:0mm; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="font-family:游明朝,serif">After being selected at the qualifying event held in São Paulo, representatives Ms. Paula Hirama and Ms. Emi Fujino have finally arrived in Japan.　</span></span></p>

<p style="margin:0mm; text-align:justify">On the day after their arrival, they visited the Brazil Pavilion at the Expo venue, where they were warmly welcomed by the Pavilion Director.</p>

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<p style="margin:0mm; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="font-family:游明朝,serif">(From left: Mr. Lucas, the Pavilion Director’s secretary, Mr. Pablo Lira, Director of the Brazil Pavilion, the two representatives from São Paulo in the center, Ms. Paula Hirama and Ms. Emi Fujino, Ms. Neide Hayama from Public Relations, and volunteer Ms. Enomoto)</span></span></p>

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<p style="margin:0mm; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="font-family:游明朝,serif">As they were given a guided tour inside, they were introduced to the latest exhibitions and Brazilian cultural displays. In particular, when hearing about Brazil’s serious commitment to environmental issues, they realized how Brazil is truly playing a leading role in this field. The Japanese volunteer staff listening alongside them were equally impressed by the explanation. The two representatives listened attentively and, with smiles, said, “We want to share the charms of Brazil with everyone in Japan.”</span></span></p>

<p><br />
<span style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="font-family:游明朝,serif"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">Meeting with the Pavilion Director</span></b></span></span>[</p>

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<p style="margin:0mm; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="font-family:游明朝,serif">Director Lira was very friendly and spoke about the positive contributions Japanese immigrants have made in Brazil. He also shared his delight with how Japanese culture—through music, performing arts, and martial arts—has spread and taken root among Brazilians.</span></span></p>

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<p style="margin:0mm; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="font-family:游明朝,serif">This year marks the special 130th anniversary of Japan–Brazil diplomatic relations. This visit has become a wonderful moment of cultural exchange to celebrate this milestone, and it is hoped that through future activities, the bond between the two countries will grow even deeper.</span></span></p>

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<p style="margin:0mm; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="font-family:游明朝,serif">[unscaled7]</span></span></p>

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<p style="margin:0mm; text-align:justify">While drinking Brazilian guava juice, we got excited talking about the similarities between people from Osaka and São Paulo. We also saw people wearing costumes and accessories featuring Myaku-Myaku, and both of us agreed that Osakans are a lot like Brazilians. Watching everyone enjoy the Expo made us genuinely happy. When we gave them a Myaku-Myaku mascot as a gift, they were delighted and let us take wonderful photos with their bright smiles.</p>

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<p style="margin:0mm; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="font-family:游明朝,serif"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt">Visit to the World’s Largest Wooden Structure</span></b></span></span></p>

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<p style="margin:0mm; text-align:justify">[unscaled4]</p>

<p style="margin:0mm; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="font-family:游明朝,serif">After that, together with volunteer Ms. Enomoto and volunteer coordinator Mr. Miyazaki, they climbed up to the “Grand Roof Ring,” certified by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest wooden structure. They were astonished to learn that not a single nail had been used in the construction method. Seeing people from all over the world gathering at the Expo site also left a deep impression on them.</span></span></p>

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<p><span style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="font-family:游明朝,serif"><b>Preview of the Festival Station</b></span></span></p>

<p style="margin:0mm; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="font-family:游明朝,serif">At the pair’s request, they then visited “Festival Station,” the venue for the next day’s event, accompanied by Ms. Leah, a volunteer from Ireland currently studying at a music school in Osaka.</span></span></p>

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<p style="margin:0mm; text-align:justify">[unscaled8]</p>

<p>We tried to visit the Japan Pavilion, but it was extremely crowded, so we decided to take it easy and enjoy our time inside the Osaka–Kansai Expo instead of going sightseeing at Osaka Castle.</p>

<p>I gave them a brief explanation about the Japan Pavilion. I told them that visitors can experience how waste at the venue is decomposed by microorganisms and transformed into water or new materials. I also explained how energy is generated from food waste, and how technologies using algae and carbon recycling help create new materials. I mentioned that beloved characters like Doraemon and Hello Kitty appear in the exhibits, making it fun and educational for people of all ages.</p>

<p>I also shared some stories about Osaka Castle — how it was built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a samurai of peasant origin who first unified Japan, using advanced construction techniques that later inspired feudal lords across the country. I talked about how he developed Osaka’s shipping network, turned cherry-blossom viewing into an event anyone could enjoy, and even built a golden tea room because of his love for gold. They listened with great interest and said, “That’s why Osaka people love him so much.”</p>

<p>In addition, I learned from the two that there is a hall in São Paulo called “NANIWA Kaikan,” established by people originally from Osaka, where singing events are also held.</p>

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<p style="margin:0mm; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="font-family:游明朝,serif">Afterward, since both visitors were quite tired from the long flight and the Expo site was extremely crowded, they decided to skip sightseeing in Osaka and returned directly from the Expo venue to their hotel in Honmachi.</span></span></p>

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