Beginning with the international exposition held at Vienna in 1873, and including the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, Japan has participated in twenty-seven world's fairs. Her participation in the exposition at St. Louis was more memorable in many respects than at any preceding exposition. In the first place, the exhibits never before occupied such an extensive area. It was three times as large as that occupied by Japan at the Chicago World's Fair of 1893 and the Paris Exposition of 1900, respectively. In each department where Japan took any part at the fair her location was excellent. The enthusiasm of Japanese manufacturers and traders in their desire to participate in the exposition was so intense that despite the effort of the Government to discriminate between numerous applicants the quantity of exhibits was swelled to such an extent that it was a matter of no small difficulty to find places for all the articles sent in for exhibition. Notwithstanding the fact that there was only a short period of nine months between Japan's decision to participate and the opening of the fair, and that in the course of that comparatively short period the rupture of friendly relations between Russia and Japan greatly handicapped the latter's endeavors concerning the exposition, the officials and exhibitors pursued their preconceived plan without an interruption. In view of such disadvantages, the promptness and accuracy with which articles were brought into their destination, arranged, and displayed seasonably in proper form may well be regarded as remarkable. By the time the gates of the fair were thrown open to the public the display had been well-nigh completed, to the gratification of the Exposition Company and the Japanese exhibitors. When Japan was first invited to take part in the exposition she was busily engaged in preparing for the Fifth National Exhibition held in the city of Osaka. For that reason she declined reluctantly to accept the invitation; but as the inauguration of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition was consequently postponed until the 1st day of May, 1904, Japan was later enabled to accept the invitation. Early in the year 1904 the imperial Government sent a corps of officials to St. Louis to select a suitable location for the Government buildings, and to apply for space in the various departments of the exposition. Due to the prompt attention of the Japanese Government and the courtesy of the managers of the exposition, the desired arrangements were accomplished without the slightest difficulty. A bill appropriating $400,000 to be expended for the exposition was passed by both houses of the legislature, and in July, 1903, the Government formally notified the Exposition Company at St. Louis that Japan would be represented at the fair.