Japan plans exhibitions themed around its people’s coexistence with the ocean at the Yeosu Expo, which opens on May 12.

The Japan Pavilion, which will be the largest exhibition space for foreign countries taking part in the world fair, expects about 800,000 visitors during the three-month expo, or 10 percent of the total number of people projected to see the fair.

“We plan to introduce the wisdom and technologies of the Japanese people who have coexisted with the ocean, and accepted both the benefits and misfortunes it renders,” Araki Yukiko, who represents the Japanese government for the Yeosu Expo, told reporters Friday.

“The Yeosu Expo will be a good opportunity for Japan to show the world how the Japanese people have recovered from the earthquake and the tsunami.”

Japan plans to spend 2 billion yen (about 29 billion won) on its pavilion on a 1,000-square-meter site.

The faade outside the entrance will be decorated with messages of gratitude to people around the world who have provided relief when Japan’s eastern coast was struck by a massive earthquake and tsunami in March.

The three exhibition zones within the pavilion will show how there are two sides to the ocean ― the beauty and the richness as well as the disasters ― and how the Japanese people have overcome the tsunami. Japan’s many marine technologies, including those related to ships and deep-sea excavations will also be on display.

Japan also plans to operate high-speed ferries that can reach Yeosu from Kyushu during the expo.

By Kim So-hyun (sophie@heraldcorp.com)