Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba urged the importance of unity in a world plagued by "divisions" at a futuristic, but tradition-steeped, opening ceremony for the World Expo on Saturday.
Everything from a Mars meteorite to a beating heart grown from stem cells will be showcased during the six-month event, which opens to the public on Sunday.
The vast waterfront site in Osaka will host pavilions of more than 160 countries, regions and organizations.
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