Symbol of Friendship from Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai UAE Pavilion, the 'Pergola', Relocated to Tottori Sand Dunes Children's World - Spreading Peace from Tottori to the World

Tottori Prefecture has been actively promoting the Expo by exhibiting the 'Tottori Infinite Sand Dunes,' a recreation of the Tottori Sand Dunes using its sand, at the 'Kansai Pavilion' of the 'Osaka-Kansai Expo.' It has also deepened friendships with participating regions, such as by concluding the 'Sand Alliance' with seven 'sand'-related pavilions, including the Jordan Pavilion.

About half a year after the Expo's closure, a new exchange born from the Expo has emerged. Due to the connection of using Chizu Sugi cedar from Chizu Town, Tottori Prefecture, as the material for the 'Pergola' installed in a corner of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Pavilion, the pergola was donated to our prefecture. An unveiling ceremony was held on March 31st at the Tottori Sand Dunes Children's World.

About the Unveiling Ceremony

Many people attended the unveiling ceremony, including Governor Hirai, business representatives who worked hard on the installation of the pergola at the UAE Pavilion and its relocation to our prefecture, and children from Tottori No. 3 Kindergarten.

First, Governor Hirai gave a humorous speech, saying, 'We have received a precious gift, a pergola, from the UAE. This is a sign of friendship born at the Osaka-Kansai Expo, so I hope it will be used with care. There are wars happening in the world right now. From Japan, we want to pray for peace in the UAE and the world, and this pergola is its symbol. I hope the kindergarten children will also become friends with people from all over the world and hold hands when they grow up. When you step out from the pergola, the sky opens up. It's 'paa-sora' (open sky). Everyone, please play a lot!'

Next, a message was read on behalf of His Excellency Shihab Ahmed Al Faheem, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Japan, who was unfortunately absent due to a flight cancellation. He stated, 'This pergola is a testament to the friendship between Tottori Prefecture and the UAE, and I sincerely hope that the friendly relations between our two regions will continue to develop in the future.'

Furthermore, a message was received from Member of the House of Representatives Shigeru Ishiba, who serves as the chairman of the Japan-UAE Parliamentary Friendship League, saying, 'I sincerely pray that with the relocation of the pergola as an opportunity, the 'bond of friendship connected by sand' between Tottori Prefecture and the UAE will deepen further into the future.'

Finally, the children of Tottori No. 3 Kindergarten performed a song, saying, 'Whether it's a hot day, a rainy day, or any day, we are happy to have the pergola!' Along with a tape cut, balloons shaped like doves, the symbol of peace, danced in the sky, and the venue was filled with many smiles in a celebratory mood for the birth of a new legacy symbolizing friendship.