[日本語版]
Introduction
In 1970 at the Osaka World Exposition the Lord inspired His chosen servants to “part the sea” of misconception, secularity, and cultural bias that obscured the beauty and glory of His restored Gospel from the minds and hearts of His children in Japan. From 1901, until that time, servants and disciples of the Lord had labored with heart, might, mind, and strength to bring the restored Gospel to the people of Japan. As time and history illustrate, though the growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints moved slowly, the work accomplished laid solid and reliable foundations for later and greater days. The decision by Church leadership to participate in Expo 70 can, therefore, be easily seen as the Lord saying, “you have cheerfully done all things that lie in your power, so now stand still with utmost assurance to see the salvation of God through his arm being revealed.” (Compare Doctrine & Covenants Section 128:17).
Let us turn back the clock slightly and see and recall that mighty arm revealed in Japan. The written report which follows is a verbatim excerpt from a history of the Church that was published in connection with the 100th year commemoration of the original 1901 dedication of Japan for the spreading of the restored Gospel. That history is entitled “Beyond the Century – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 100 Year Missionary Walk”. The entire document can be found in Japanese at this LINK. For those who would prefer to explore this history in another language, one of the valuable virtues of A.I. is the translation of written materials into another language. There are spiritual gems in "Beyond the Century" and a mining journey through A.I. is encouraged. The excerpt below is found at pages 277-284 of Beyond the Century.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Shozo Suzuki, who served as counselor to Mission President Edward Y. Okazaki of the Japan Okinawa Mission, accompanied Apostle Ezra Taft Benson during his 1968 visit to Japan after receiving a request from Elder Benson to visit the Japan World Exposition Association.
Without really understanding what a world exposition was, Suzuki guided Elder Benson to the Senri Hills area, the future Expo site. That visit became the first step in Japan toward participating in Expo '70.
The following year, 1969, an official decision was made to construct the "Mormon Pavilion" at the Osaka World Exposition at a total project cost of 72 million yen (about $200,000.00 at the then prevalent exchange rate). Because the Japan Okinawa Mission headquarters was located near the exposition site, the mission became especially busy with preparations.
On April 22, a groundbreaking ceremony was held with many distinguished guests in attendance, including Ezra Taft Benson; Wataro Kanno, Minister in charge of Expo '70; Taizo Ishizaka, President of the Japan World Exposition Association; Osaka Governor Yoshinori Sato; and Osaka Mayor Kaoru Chuma. Construction of the Mormon Pavilion began under the theme: "The Search for Happiness."
An article in the April 26 edition of the Mainichi Shimbun under the column "Expo Personalities" introduced the Church as follows:
"The Mormon Church, more properly named The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is a Christian denomination founded by Joseph Smith in 1830. Its headquarters is presently located in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. It has approximately three million members worldwide, about eleven thousand of whom live in Japan.
This denomination has always been enthusiastic about participation in world expositions, and for the Japan World Exposition it is investing approximately one hundred million yen to construct the 'Mormon Pavilion' under the theme 'The Search for Happiness.'
Under the leadership of 'Prophet' David O. McKay, the Mormon Church has the 'Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.' Benson, who came to Japan for the pavilion groundbreaking ceremony on the 22nd, is one of those Twelve Apostles.
Beginning as an officer in Idaho agricultural cooperatives, he later served as an agricultural adviser to President Roosevelt and then as United States Secretary of Agriculture throughout the eight years of the Eisenhower administration. He is a prominent statesman and holds honorary doctorates from eleven universities, including an honorary Doctor of Agriculture degree from Michigan State University.
This church is very strict. Not only alcohol and tobacco but even tea and coffee are prohibited. Even the escort guide who presented flowers to Mr. Benson at the groundbreaking ceremony set aside her miniskirt and attended dressed in a formal long-sleeved kimono.
'We are participating in the exposition because we want everyone to understand our faith.'
Flora Benson, who accompanied him, was selected in 1956 as America's outstanding wife and mother, receiving the title 'Mother of the Year.' The couple has six children and twenty grandchildren."
At that time the Church was placing considerable emphasis on participation in world expositions. It had also exhibited at the 1964 New York World's Fair.
From Church headquarters in Salt Lake City, Bernard P. Brockbank, Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, came to Japan to direct the project.
By August 1969, the film "Man's Search for Happiness" had been completed for presentation in the Mormon Pavilion. Although the story had previously been used at American expositions, the Church chose not merely to dub an American production into Japanese. Instead, Japanese film actors were employed, and Church members from the Kinki region also participated in the production.
The film became a joint American-Japanese project produced under Executive Producer W. O. Whitaker, Art Director Johnson, Director of Photography Stamm, and others.
Expo '70 Opens
On March 13, 1970, the dedication ceremony of the Mormon Pavilion was held. For this occasion, Counselor in the First Presidency Hugh B. Brown and Apostles Ezra Taft Benson and Gordon B. Hinckley traveled to Japan.
The following day, March 14, the official opening ceremony of Expo '70 was held with great fanfare. Invitations from Taizo Ishizaka, President of the Japan World Exposition Association, were extended to Church leaders, and Emperor Shōwa (Hirohito) attended the event. For the Church in Japan, this exposition became one of the most ambitious missionary undertakings in its history.
Before the exposition officially opened, a briefing session was scheduled for pavilion representatives to explain their exhibits. Bernard P. Brockbank, who was directing the Church's participation, remarked that at the 1964 New York World's Fair only five staff members had attended a similar briefing, and he therefore had little desire to go. This time, however, although only fifty invitations had been issued, approximately 150 members of the press appeared.
Because no prepared script explaining the Mormon Pavilion had been written, the organizers were momentarily at a loss. At that point, Kan Watanabe stood and delivered an impromptu explanation, skillfully adapting to the circumstances.
The Mormon Pavilion contained:
- First Floor: Exhibits featuring the Church's auxiliary organizations and activities.
- Second Floor: Displays explaining the Creation, primitive Christianity, and the restored Church.
- A screening area featuring the film "Man's Search for Happiness."
The Mormon Pavilion received one of the most desirable locations in the entire exposition grounds. It was situated next to the largest pond on the Expo site and immediately adjacent to the Festival Plaza, where visitors frequently gathered to relax and enjoy events. Restaurants and other facilities were also located nearby.
In addition, it stood close to the Japan Pavilion, one of the exposition's premier attractions, and was positioned between the Kodak Pavilion, which showcased the latest achievements in photographic technology, and the Takara Pavilion, sponsored by the renowned beauty industry company. As a result, the Mormon Pavilion enjoyed exceptionally high visitor traffic.
Expo '70 opened to the general public on March 15, 1970, and continued for six months until September 13.
According to Bernard P. Brockbank, among all the expositions in which the Church had participated, the Japan World Exposition was one of the most successful. At the 1964 New York World's Fair, the Church pavilion averaged about 18,000 visitors per day. By comparison, the Mormon Pavilion at Expo '70 averaged approximately 25,000 visitors daily.
Only a little more than two months after opening, at 10:45 a.m. on May 26, the pavilion welcomed its two-millionth visitor. The visitor was Mr. Kameda, a 28-year-old poultry farmer from Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture. Brockbank presented him with a commemorative gift.
Local Church members willingly served at the pavilion, even though they had to pay admission to the exposition each time they entered.
Particularly important were the "referral cards" completed by visitors as they exited the pavilion. These cards recorded names, addresses, and impressions of the exhibit. Brockbank instructed that missionaries should be prepared to visit those who filled out these cards within three days.
The completed cards were forwarded throughout Japan through a remarkable logistical system:
- Missionaries serving at the Mormon Pavilion finished their duties at 6:00 p.m.
- They carried bundles of referral cards to Umeda Station.
- Church members received the bundles and transported them to local branches.
- Because each sheet contained the information of roughly ten individuals, the names were cut apart and sorted by place of residence.
- Before midnight, the information had been dispatched to missionaries throughout the country.
This enormous process handled information from approximately 3,000 to 4,000 people every day during the entire six months of the exposition. Members from seven assigned branches worked continuously, eventually processing information representing approximately 650,000 names.
As a result of these referral cards, home teaching-style gatherings and missionary discussions were initiated, leading many people to join the Church. Numerous individuals who later became Church leaders were converted through contacts originating from Expo '70.
One example was Kazuyoshi Tokuda and his wife, whose conversion began with an Expo referral card. When the Tokyo Temple was completed in 1980, Brother Tokuda was invited to serve as a facilities technician. He later served as bishop of both the Ebisu Ward and the Shibuya Ward and eventually became an assistant temple president. In addition, both of his sons later served as full-time missionaries.
The success of these efforts illustrates why Expo '70 is remembered as one of the most effective missionary programs in the history of the Church in Japan.
Visit of His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince
On Friday, July 31, 1970, His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince (the present Emperor) was scheduled to visit the Expo grounds in his capacity as Honorary President of the Expo Association.
Because of time constraints, only a limited number of pavilions could be included in his itinerary. The Mormon Pavilion was among those selected. According to the official schedule, the Crown Prince was to spend only ten minutes, from 6:25 p.m., at the pavilion.
Some organizers inquired why the allotted time was so short and were told, "Please understand, it is a religious pavilion."
Shozo Suzuki, who was assigned to guide and explain the exhibit, carefully considered how to make the most efficient use of the precious time. On the day of the visit, he arose at five o'clock in the morning and prepared himself through fasting while repeatedly rehearsing a ten-minute presentation.
However, the Crown Prince arrived fifteen minutes ahead of schedule, and instead of a ten-minute visit, he ultimately spent twenty-five minutes touring the pavilion.
When the Crown Prince arrived, Bernard P. Brockbank's daughter stepped forward and presented him with a beautiful lei made of fresh orchids. The flowers had been specially air-freighted from Hawaii for the occasion, and the lei had been lovingly crafted by Walter Teruya and his wife.
Prior to the visit, members of the Imperial Household staff had expressed reservations about presenting fresh flowers to the Crown Prince. However, when His Imperial Highness happily lowered his head to receive it, Miss Brockbank placed the lei around his neck. It is said that the Crown Prince continued wearing the lei until he departed from the pavilion.
The incident provides a glimpse of the gracious character of the man who is now Emperor.
Mission President Okazaki had served during World War II in the famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team, composed primarily of Japanese Americans, and had suffered serious wounds in combat in Europe.
Apparently aware of this beforehand, the Crown Prince extended his hand to President Okazaki and initiated a handshake. He asked:
"How are the injuries you received during the war?"
President Okazaki replied:
"I am doing well now."
The Crown Prince responded:
"I am glad to hear that."
President Okazaki deeply loved and respected Japan. He customarily displayed both the Japanese national flag and the flag of the Japan Okinawa Mission beside his large desk in the mission office. Therefore, the Crown Prince's warm words became a cherished memory for him.
As Mission President Counselor Suzuki explained topics such as:
- "What Is Mormonism?"
- "What Do Mormons Believe?"
- "How Does the Mormon Church Differ from Other Churches?"
- "What Is Practical Religion?"
- "The History of the Mormons"
- "Joseph Smith's First Vision"
- "The Restoration of the Church"
the Crown Prince listened attentively and repeatedly nodded in understanding.
The only question he personally asked was:
"What kind of person is Jesus Christ?"
Suzuki responded by explaining that Jesus Christ is the Savior and that all people will someday stand before Him and give an account of their lives and actions.
Years later, Suzuki reflected upon the visit and the unusually favorable circumstances under which it took place. Recalling the scripture:
"That the fulness of my gospel might be proclaimed by the weak and the simple unto the ends of the world, and before kings and rulers"
(Doctrine and Covenants 1:23)
he remarked thoughtfully:
"I believe it was the help of God."
One month later, on August 31, Prince Mikasa also visited the Mormon Pavilion.
Expo-70-Prince-Mikasa-Visit.png
During the visit of His Imperial Highness Prince Mikasa (third from the left). Standing immediately to the Prince's right is Assistant Mission President Shozo Suzuki. At the far right are Japan Okinawa Mission President Edward Y. Okazaki and Sister Okazaki. At the far left is Kimiko Kojima, a member of the Ashiya City Council. © 2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Since there were no significant time restrictions during his visit, he spent more than an hour touring the exhibits.
Because Prince Mikasa was a scholar of Oriental cultures, he examined the displays with particular interest. He visited the second floor, watched the film presentation, and asked:
"What is the difference between this church and other churches?"
Suzuki responded by explaining the doctrine of the priesthood.
As the Prince departed, Suzuki presented him with a specially prepared white-bound edition of the Book of Mormon.
As a result, the Imperial Household came to possess two copies of the Book of Mormon:
- The earlier translation by Alma O. Taylor, presented during the Meiji era.
- The translation by Tatsui Sato presented during this visit.
Conclusion
During the six-month duration of Expo '70, the Mormon Pavilion recorded 6,658,532 visitors.
The Osaka World Exposition itself attracted more than 64.26 million visitors, the largest attendance in Expo history up to that time. This means that roughly one out of every ten Expo visitors entered the Mormon Pavilion.
Compared with the approximately three million visitors to the Church's pavilion at the New York World's Fair, the Osaka results were regarded as an outstanding success.
Through the Church's participation in Expo '70, Latter-day Saints became widely known throughout Japanese society. The dedicated service of local Church members and missionaries provided a tremendous boost to missionary work in Japan and contributed significantly to the Church's growth in the years that followed.
Postscript
The following material is based on personal statements from missionaries who labored at the Church’s pavilion as well as from members who were directly or indirectly brought to the Church through the pavilion’s impact. These are only a few samples of what are surely hundreds and thousands of others who were impacted by the manifestation of the Lord’s arm in the Mormon Pavilion at Expo 70. The foundation, infrastructure, and structure of today’s Church in Japan is blessed abundantly from the power of Expo 70 because the “Mormon Pavilion” drew many true disciples of Christ into membership in his Church.
Many of the missionaries who worked as pavilion guides were native Japanese members. Tetsuji Ishii and Tadashi Komatsu were among the full-time missionaries providing guide services. They both attended a district conference that was held in Hiroshima, There the mission president asked anyone in the audience who wished to serve as full-time missionaries to raise their hands. Tadashi did so at the meeting, having his initial missionary interview done on the train back to his home. Tetsuji had a competing goal and after pondering and prayer was inspired thereafter to make his application. Both these brethren remain active and devoted disciples of the Lord who have continued to provide humble, effective, and loving service in many callings.
Tetsuji Ishii recalls that the missionaries serving as guides were divided into three shifts for each day. Before each shift Elder Bernard P. Brockbank, who served as pavilion supervisor under the direction of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, held prayer and instruction meetings before each shift. Tetsuji still vividly recalls the following statement from Elder Brockbank: “This pavilion contains many displays, but the most important thing is not the exhibits. The most important thing is our love for the visitors and your testimony as missionaries.” Tetsujii continues, “I learned that when missionaries and members approach people with love and humility and speak under divine influence, deep spiritual impressions are left upon the hearts of others.”
Tadashi Komatsu observes in his testimony that “Some visitors listened with great attention. Others were moved to tears as they felt the Spirit and heard the testimonies being shared. At the end, they were shown the film 'Man’s Search for Happiness.’ Some viewers were so touched by the film that they wept.”
Tadashi Komatsu also affirms that the impact of the visits to the pavilion raised the conversion rates in the missions of Japan to an average of 160 baptisms per month, causing unprecedented growth in the Church. He asserts, “I believe many people were converted directly because of the Expo, while others first encountered missionaries because the Expo increased public awareness of the Church.”
Junko Sato of the Abeno Ward in Osaka, recalls “seeing a film” that left an indelible impression on her. In her observations about the Banpaku and the pavilion, she states, “What I could never forget was the image of God’s hand sending a person to earth at the beginning, and God’s hand receiving that person back at the end.” She later met the missionaries as a high school student and became a member of the Church.
Another member of the Church, Tomoko Ishizuka and her close friend were privileged to visit and tour the Expo because they were part of a junior high choir that was invited to perform at the Expo. After their performance, the choir members were allowed to tour the Expo on their own. She states, “my friend, Shiokawa, and I were almost drawn into the pavilion.” She goes on to say, “there was a sheet where visitors could write down their information. I remember it as clearly as if it happened yesterday…. I wrote down my name and went home…without even realizing it was a Christian church…. So when the missionaries came I felt no resistance at all. After three months, I completed the lessons and was baptized. It is hard to believe that fifty-five years have passed since those days.”
Masatomo Enomoto encountered two missionaries while touring the Expo. They asked him if he believed in God. When he answered yes, they asked him to pray with them. He reports: “it was fifteen years later that I was baptized and became a member of the Church. Encounters with people are truly mysterious, aren’t they?”
Hiroyuki Hamada affirms the power of Expo 70 and the Mormon Pavilion to bring The Church of Jesus Christ “out of obscurity and out of darkness”. He observes that “Many people strongly resonated with the teachings of the Church, especially regarding the importance of family….” In his thoughts he says that “I sincerely hope that a learning facility similar to a visitors’ center can be established where people may develop interest and curiosity and come into contact with the teachings of the Church.”
The good news is that the arm of the Lord is again being “made bare” worldwide, including in Japan. The Church’s efforts in social media are currently producing unprecedented interest in the messages, light, and truth contained in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Referrals are occurring in unprecedented numbers in response to short media “reels” with simple invitations featuring young missionaries. The number of referrals that are being processed in the two Tokyo missions daily is reminiscent of the rates of referrals gained at Expo 70.
Additionally, the stability, maturity, example, and “joy of the saints” the world over, including in Japan, is producing personal “learning centers” in the lives, homes, and conduct of members of the Church. Their lives and experiences are literally “lights on a hill” for all around them.
The Lord’s arm is being made bare again in Japan through the spirit that emanates from the heart, soul, and example of the growing number of committed and dedicated members of the Church.
DOWNLOADCaption Translations:
(1) The grounds surrounding the Mormon Pavilion were beautifully decorated with flowers, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a temple. Bernard P. Brockbank reportedly visited commercial growers himself to choose the flowers and personally supervised their care to ensure that they remained in excellent condition throughout the exposition. Koi also swam in the pond before the pavilion. The fish were still small when Brockbank acquired them, but by the close of the Expo they had grown considerably.
(2) Professional actors starred in the filming of "Man's Search for Happiness," and Church members from the Kansai region also took part as extras.
(3) Behind the Mormon Pavilion. After completing their visit, guests exited the building from this area. Because Expo '70 was held from March through September, the fairgrounds included a massive heat-exchange plant that supplied cooled air to all of the pavilions for air conditioning. However, no heating system was provided. Since the rear of the Mormon Pavilion was adjacent to the large pond and giant fountain, blown spray would sometimes leave people shivering
.