Japan Travel Bureau, one of the biggest travel agencies in Japan will issue Expo tickets and sales will begin on July 1 across Japan, an official of JTB announced yesterday at the opening ceremony of "Shanghai Expo Promotion Week" in Tokyo.

JTB will also organize Expo delegations from next January. It is expected that more than 1 million Japanese will come to Shanghai and take part in the Expo.

This is the third year Shanghai has organized promotions in Tokyo.

More than 400 people attended the ceremony including Cui Tiankai, China's Ambassador to Japan, Yang Xiong, executive deputy director of the Executive Committee of the World Expo 2010 Shanghai and also Shanghai Executive Vice Mayor, Hong Hao, vice secretary general of Shanghai Municipal Government and also director-general of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, Yasuo Fukuda, former Prime Minister of Japan and Satsuki Eda, president of Japan's House of Councilors. The five leaders all spoke at the ceremony.

Cui said Japan has a lot of experience with Expos and it was the nation that introduced Expo to Asia. Expo Shanghai will help rebuild people's confidence and revive the economy.

Yang discussed the preparations and thanked Japan for its passion for Expo.

Yasuo Fukuda said Expo was a good opportunity to deepen the friendship of the two nations and it will improve the exchange and cooperation.

Satsuki Eda believed constant cultural exchanges in platforms like Expo will help young people create better lives.

A presentation ceremony for Expo tickets was also unveiled. A Japanese residents' delegate received the first ticket in Japan.

This promotion week focuses on the  public forum themed "Love City, Love Life." It discussed how urban young people could create happy lives.

A picture exhibition will be held tomorrow. Pictures of Expo Shanghai will be on display and a promotional video will be aired on four subway lines. Pictures will also be on display at Haneda Airport.