The endangered crested ibis, a symbol of the growing friendship between Japan and China, will be a focal point at the Japan pavilion during the Shanghai World Expo.

The host of the last World Expo in 2005 has decided to stage a musical drama about conserving the bird to highlight the urgent need for people to work together to protect nature as they rush to embrace the future.

The Japan pavilion will stage a musical drama about the crested ibis during the expo. [China Daily]

As such, Japan will soon start enlisting talented young performers in China to perform in the drama, organizers said.

The drama relates to "Harmony of the Hearts, Harmony of the Skills", a theme the country chose as the over-arching banner for its pavilion, which is capable of accommodating 1,500 people.

And while the world's second-largest economy is looking forward to raising awareness of common urban problems like water shortages, graying populations, global warming and related technological solutions, it is more excited about telling the story about how to save its favorite bird.

With its ungainly body, short legs and long, drooping bill, the ibis may not appear to be the most appealing of animals, but it holds a sentimental place in the hearts of most Japanese and is viewed as an unofficial symbol of Japan. The official national bird is actually the pheasant.

"The importance of the ibis can be seen even from its scientific name, Nipponia Nippon, which contains two references to the Japanese name for Japan," said Harayama Yasuhito, a senior official with Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, which is responsible for expo affairs.

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But the bird, once widespread in Japan, was hunted to the brink of extinction in recent years, with environmental damage rubbing the species completely out of its native habitat. It was pronounced extinct in 2003 upon the death of the last ibis bred in captivity in the country.

Fortunately, Japan was able to begin resuscitating the species after China sent a pair over as a gift. As the pair and their offspring have been well protected, there are now more than 100 ibises living in Japan.

"So the bird is a symbol of Sino-Japanese friendship and especially a symbol of how important it is to protect nature and the environment," said Hirofumi Wakamatsu, director of the Japan pavilion.

The 20-minute opera will have two directors, one each from China and Japan. It will be performed in a 500-seat theater inside the pavilion 35 times a day during the expo.

"We plan on integrating traditional elements from both countries into the performance," said Chinese Director Danny Yung. "We want the audience to feel emotionally connected after the show. We hope this will make them more willing to work together to confront urban and environmental problems, and basically care more about the future of our planet."

Before the show starts, a warm-up performance will get audiences in the mood with the aid of robots, light art and other high-tech elements, organizers said.

Beyond this futuristic centerpiece, Japan will focus on the past and present at two separate sections within its pavilion, the largest one ever built overseas by the country's government.