ARCHIVES HISTORIQUES 
DE LA COMMISSION 
 
 
 
COLLECTION RELIEE DES 
DOCUMENTS "COM" 
 
 
 
 
COM (83) 485 
 
 
 
Vol. 1983/0 183 
  
 
Disclaimer  
Conformém ent au règlement (CEE, Euratom) n° 354/83 du Conseil du 1er février 1983 
concernant l'ouverture au public des archives historiques de la Communauté économique 
européenne et de la Communauté européenne de l'énergie atomique (JO L 43 du 15.2.1983, 
p. 1), tel que modifié par le règlement (CE, Euratom) n° 1700/2003 du 22 septembre 2003 
(JO L 243 du 27.9.2003, p. 1), ce dossier est ouvert au public. Le cas échéant, les documents 
classifiés présents dans ce dossier ont été déclassifiés conformément à l'article 5 dudit 
règlem ent. 
In accordance with Council Regulation (EEC, Euratom) No 354/83 of 1 February 1983 
concerning the openi ng to the public of the historical archives of the European Econom ic 
Community and the European Atomic Energy Communit y (OJ L 43, 15.2.1983, p. 1), as 
amended by Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1700/2003 of 22 September 2003 (OJ L 243, 
27.9.2003, p. 1), this f ile is open to the public. Where necessary, classified documents in this 
file have been declassified in conformity with Article 5 of the aforementioned regulation.  
In Übereinstimmung mit der Verordnung (EWG, Euratom) Nr. 354/83 des Rates vom  1. 
Februar 198 3 über die Freigabe der historischen Archive der Europäischen  
Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft und der Europäischen Atomgem einschaft (ABI. L 43 vom  15.2.1983,  
S. 1), geändert durch die Verordnung (EG, Euratom) Nr. 1700/2003 vom 22. Septem ber 2003  
(ABI. L 243 vom 27 .9.2003, S. 1), ist diese Datei der Öffentlichkeit zugänglich. Soweit  
erforderlich, wurden die Verschlusssachen in dieser Datei in Übereinstimmung mit Artikel 5  
der genannten Verordnung freigegeben.  
COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
COM(83)485 final  
Brussels, 8 September 1983
COMMISSI0N_COMMUNICATI0N TO  
THE COUNCIL
P a r t ic i p a t i o n  by th e  Commission o f th e  European Communities in the  
In t e r n a t i o n a l  E x h ib itio n  to  be held in Tsukuba, Japan, in 1985
COM(83) 485 final

COMMISSION COMMUNICATION TO THE COUNCIL
Participation by the Commission of the European Communities in the  
International Exhibition to be held in Tsukuba, Japan, in 1985.
INTRODUCTION
The Tsukuba Exhibition is one of the "specialized international  
exhibitions" approved by the Paris-based International Exhibition  
Bureau (BIE) on the basis of the 1928 Convention (amended in 1972).
The BIE has approved three exhibitions in this category for the next  
few years :  New Orleans (USA) 1984  
Tsukuba (Japan) 1985  
Vancouver (Canada) 1986
the last two being considered as priorities for participation by the  
European Community, in view of their theme and their geographical  
location (participation by the Commission in the New Orleans International  
Exhibition was the subject of a Commission communication dated 10 February  
1983, COM (83) 57 final).
Although each of these two exhibitions is dealt within a separate proposal,  
it would be useful to transmit them together, in view of the fact that  
some of the preparation for the Commission's participation in the two  
events will be made simultaneously and the financial effects will be  
felt from 1983 to 1986, although the e will be different "tranches" for  
each operation.

- 2 -
I. TSUKUBA INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION
On 20 October 1981, The Japanese Government invited the Commission  
of the European Communities to participate in an international 
exhibition on science and technology in everiday life to be held in  
Tsukuba, Japan, in 1985.
A. Nature and theme of the exhibition
The Tsukuba exhibition has been approved by the Paris~based International  
Exhibition Bureau (BIE) as a "specialized international exhibition"  
and will be held from 17 March to 16 September 1985.
In accordance with the criteria laid down by the BEI for this  
type of event, the organizers will erect the exhibition buildings  
and hire them to the participants.
The theme of the exhibition will be :  "Dwellings and surroundings -  
science and technology for man at home".
This theme will provide a show case for the latest scientific and  
technological achievements in a very wide range of areas.
Moreover, it corresponds particularly to the state of research and  
the aspirations and policies of Japan, whose industry is very  
advanced in this sector and wishes to demonstrate in a world  
context its potential and importance. The interest of Japanese  
industry is all the greater in that the Tsukuba exhibition can be  
considered to be a means of reaching the Pacific countries, who  
will account for the majority of foreign visitors.
Consequently, the exhibition enjoys the full support of the  
Japanese Government and Japanese industry.
It will be spread over about 100 hectares, 65 hectares of which  
are set aside for Japanese participants (government and industry),  
the remainder being intended for foreign participants, parks and  
commercial concessions.
The organizers expect about 20 million visitors.

- 3 -
B. Current state of preparations and likely participants
- Preparations
As mentioned above, the exhibition has the full support of  
the Japanese Government and all official, scientific and  
industrial circles.
The Government is keeping a close eye on the arrangements.
It has appointed a well-known diplomat, Mr. Ikawa, as its  
Commissioner General for the exhibition, who was for many years  
his country's ambassador in France,Switzerland and Belgium,  
where he was also its representative to theEuropean Commudties.
The technical preparations are taking their normal course,  
according to the stages and deadlines laid down by the general  
plan :  the exhibition ground has been levelled, a start has  
been made to the installation of water pipes and electricity  
prior to the construction of the pavilions, and work is  
progressing on the construction of roads on the exhibition  
ground itself as well as the enlargement of the access roads  
(motorway, etc.).
- Participation
As regards participation, the current situation is as follows :
- at national level
.  the Japanese Government will be participating in the exhibition  
with three official pavilions, one on the history of Japan, one  
on the theme of the exhibition itself and one as a show case for  
Japan's most up-to-date technology and research.
.  On the side of industry, 29 corporations or companies, including  
the big names of Japanese industry, have already confirmed their  
participation and reserved large stands of as much as 7.000 m2.
- at international level
.  the following have already confirmed :
France
United Kingdom
United States
Australia
Thailand
Chile
Cuba
Libya
Democratic Kampuchea
USSR
Bulgaria
Malaysia
Sweden
Yugoslavia
China ./.

- 4 -
as well as three international organizations:
the United Nations Development Programme;
the United Nations Institute for Training and Research;
the South-East Asian Ministers Education Organization.
.  The following are considered to be probable participants:
Commission of the European Communities  
Italy
Federal Republic of Germany
Canada
Argentina
Brazi l
Colombi a
Phi lippines
Korea
Tonga
Sri Lanka
Iran
Czechoslovakia
a number of international organizations such as the O.E.C.D.
II. USEFULNESS OF PARTICIPATION BY THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN  
COMMUNITIES IN THE TSUKUBA INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION, 1985
A. Main reasons for participation
Participation in this event seems particularly important for the  
following reasons :
“ L °£§£ï2n_2f_£lîË_ê5î}i^iSÎ2S
Japan is a particularly important country for the European  
Community and its Member States, as, along with the United  
States, it is one of the Community's main world trading  
partners. With its modern technology, Japan is gaining  
an even-increasing share of world markets :  participation  
by the European Community as a whole in the Tsukuba International  
exhibition would therefore be a good way of illustrating the  
Community's place in this area in relation to both the Pacific  
countries (who will be the main foreign visitors to the Exhibit­
ion) and the Japanese public (who often reproach Europeans with  
not making enough effort to make themselves known on the  
Japanese market).
- The_theme_and_general_context
Japanese industry will use the Tsukuba exhibition as a platform  
to display to 20 million visitors its potential importance and  
leading position in the field of scientific research and modern  
technology. It is essential that Europe is not absent from  
this event, and that the European Community as a whole demonstrates  
the position it holds in science and technology.

- 5 -
- possibility of_j^int_£artici 2ation_b£_the Commission and  
the_Member_States
The 
representatives of the Member States, meeting in the  
Council Working Party on Fairs and Exhibitions, were in  
favour of joint participation.
Not only is such a formula in line with the Member States'  
efforts to adopt joint positions (efforts which are increasingly  
being reflected in negotiations between the Community and Japan)  
and give practical expression to the cohesion of the European  
Community, but it would also be a way of presenting Europe to  
its advantage in the face of a massive turnout by Japanese  
industry, without each participant having to rent a very large  
site at great expense.
B. Formula envisaged :  joint participation by the Member States
and the Commission
While on a study mission to Japan, a team of representatives of  
the Member States and the Commission informed the organizers that  
they would like the Member States and the Commission to take part  
as a group and, after visiting the exhibition ground, they select­
ed a suitable site and a basic architectural design for the  
envisaged joint participation.
_ §rea_and_architectural_design
After a certain amount of initial reticence, the organizers have  
drawn up a formula in line with the w ishes expressed.
It involves a complex of intercommunicating modular pavilions,  
of varying dimensions (from 250 m2 to 1.000 or 2.000 m2) covering 
a total of between 4.000 and 5.000 m2 situated roughly on the site  
selected.
This proposal offers the flexibility which is indispensable at the  
present stage, as only France and the United Kingdom have confirmed  
their participation, each with an area of about 1.000 m2.
Italy is currently discussing its participation, which would also  
be for an area of about 1.000 m2; the Commission is thinking in  
terms of about 700 m2.
- Taking_out_of_an_option
In view of the formula of joint participation and the flexibility  
which would enable other Member States to take part with larger  
or smaller areas, as well final adjustments, the Council Working  
Party on Fairs and Exhibitions described the proposed solution as  
satisfactory and asked the Commission to take out an option on the  
site and the proposed formula. This has since been done and has  
been confirmed by the Japanese authorities.
The option taken out has no legal or financial consequences. It  
is merely a declaration of intention, as a precautionary measure  
to reserve a site which will be best suited to the needs of joint  
participation by the European Community and encourage the organizers  
to construct the buildings in such a way as to make this joint  
participation possible.

- 6 -
Although the option is open until October 1983, an urgent  
decision is necessary on the part of both the Member States  
who have not yet confirmed their participation and the  
Commission, so that the exhibition architects, with the  
cooperation of the representatives of the European Community,  
can draw up the final plans for the construction of the  
planned "European Community" complex.
III. ARRANGEMENTS FOR COMMISSION PARTICIPATION
In view of the foregoing, it is proposed that the Commission participate  
in the Tsukuba international exhibition with an information stand,  
forming a group with the Member States.
A. Theme
The Commission stand would be in two main parts :
- Introduction:
Presentation of the European Community as a whole.
Attractive presentations using cartoons will be used.
- Main aim:
Its activities in the areas covered by the theme of the  
exhibition: "Dwellings and surroundings - science and technology  
for man at home".
The objective will be to give a vigorous and convincing image  
of European technology in this vast and very diversified sector  
where it will be necessary to show - in close collaboration with  
the member states to limit duplication - striking examples.
B.  Area
It is proposed that the Commission stand would occupy an area of  
about 700 m2 (including service areas and the Commission's share  
of any common areas envisaged in the framework of joint participation  
with the Member States, such as meeting and reception room, cloakrooms,  
storage facilities, etc.).
C. Budget
It is obviously difficult to draw up a detailed budget estimate at  
the present stage. This will not be possible until the theme and  
a preliminary draft presentation have been worked out and decisions  
have been taken, in broad outline at least, on the various back-up events  
(publicity schemes, European day, joint activities with the Member  
States, etc.) and on the publications to be produced for the occasion.

- 7 -
However, in the light of previous experience of Commission participation  
in the international exhibition at Knoxville, USA, in 1982, and also  
the prices applied in all areas in Japan, which are often higher  
than in the USA, as well as the special staffing requirements (trans­
lators, interpreters, etc.)> the general increase in costs since 1981/82  
and the increase to be expected between now and 1985, the budget  
required for participation by the Commission should be set at  
1.350.000 ECU (for details, see Annex).
These funds should be accorded by the budget authority from item  
2721 (Participation in international and universal Exhibitions)  
for the 1985 financial year.
In the case of heavy expenses being necessary in 1984, the budgetary  
authority will be asked to make a payment which will be deducted  
from the credit mentioned above.

TSUKUBA INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION, 1985
Estimate of costs
I. SITE
750 m2, of which 200 free  
550 m2 at 60 000 yen per m2
II. PREPARATION FEES
Initial studies, convocation of experts,  
architectural consultation, elaboration  
of alternative plans, etc.
III. FITTING-OUT AND DECORATION
a) fees for European and Japanese  
architects
b) internal and external fitting-out
comprising: air-conditioning, floor
coverings, service areas, etc.
c) decoration as such
display units presenting the European  
Community and its relations with Japan  
and the main exhibits illustrating the  
theme of the exhibition, audio-visual  
display (including transport costs)
sub-total
IV. RUNNING COSTS
Hostesses, electricity, water, heating,  
air-conditioning, telephone, telex, postal  
expenses, maintenance, office equipment  
and machinery, service car, cleaning and  
security, insurance, etc.YEN
33 000
ECU
25 000
160 000ECU
150 000
15 000
675 000
860 000 860 000
120  000
carried forward to next page 1 145 000

-  2 -
•ECU
Carried forward 1 145000
V. PUBLICATIONS
Folder for general public, brochure for special  
interest visitors, reprinting of existing publications; 55000
VI. EUROPEAN DAY AND OTHER VARIOUS INFORMATION ACTIVITIES
European day and other various information activities  
such as conferences, seminars, discussions, press  
conferences, etc. 25000
TOTAL I + II + III + IV + V + VI 1 225000
VII. RESERVE FOR CONTINGENCIES
As the above is only an estimate (before the plans
for the stand have been drawn up) and in view of the
uncertainty regarding the likely rate of inflation in
Japan between now and 1985 (in the case of 1982 Knoxville
International Exhibition, the dollar appreciated by 40 %
between the adoption of the budget and the date of the
exhibition), it would seem essential to provide a reserve
of 10 % for contingencies and exchange rate variation
equivalent to 122 500
GRAND TOTAL 1 347 500
IN ROUNDED FIGURES 1 350 000