TOKYO, May 31 -- Tokyo Gov. Yukio Aoshima announced Wednesday that he would follow through with his election pledge to cancel an international exposition that was scheduled to begin next March. 'I adhere to my pledge to eradicate the distrust in politics,' Aoshima said, referring to his 'scrap-the-expo' campaign promise. Aoshima, a former television comedian, was elected in April on a revisionist platform. The World City Expo '96 was to showcase cities on the Tokyo waterfront and draw attention to extensive redevelopment under way around the site. Aoshima's predecessor, Shunichi Suzuki, helped bring about the redevelopment and expo. 'I think there will be a negative impact on the operators of those buildings,' said John Dickison, general manager of Schal Bovis, a Tokyo construction company not involved in the project. 'It is extremely regrettable to see the exposition called off,' said Shinichi Nomura, secretary general of the Tokyo Frontier Association, the group charged with planning the exposition. 'I cannot find the words to express my deep apologies to all those who supported the international exposition. All our effort and work have been nullified,' Nomura said. The expo's blueprint was originally drawn up in 1990, and was to leave permanent housing for more than 50,000 Tokyo residents. Aoshima's decision had not gone unchallenged. On May 18, the city assembly passed 100-23 a nonbinding resolution opposing the move after an exhaustive three-day session. While the decision was intended to save money, there remains a question of refunds for admission tickets.
About 2.6 million advance tickets have been sold at prices ranging from $22-$27 (2,500-3,200 yen). The United Nations, 42 foreign cities and four international ports have contracted work connected with the expo. Several major Japanese companies were involved in construction of the expo pavilions. They previously warned they may seek compensation for breach of contract should the expo be canceled. The government has not estimated cost of potential compensation for the canceled event.
