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Japan

76 bytes added, 01:42, 9 February 2016
/* History Since Opening Day */
Although the show was designed and ready to go, Meet the World never made its debut in the Japan pavilion. The reason for this may have been that during construction errors were found in the show building <ref name= "Martin"/>. It was decided that a new show building would need to be created, and this put the future of the attraction in jeopardy<ref name= "Martin"/>. With EPCOT Center already over budget, the attraction was eventually pushed to Phase II of the park, before its construction was cancelled <ref name= "Martin"/>. Another reason the attraction was not built may have been because the show glossed over Japan's involvement in World War II <ref name= "Jack"/>. No matter the reason behind the decision, Meet the World was never installed in the pavilion. Since the attraction was never built, other ideas have been suggested for the empty show building. One idea, called for a Circlevision-360 film aboard a bullet train <ref name= "Jack"/>, while in the early 1990s, Imagineers pitched an indoor roller coaster, which was to be housed inside a replica of Mount Fuji <ref name= "Martin"/>. Adding the validity of this proposal Fuji Film offered to cover the coast of the coaster’s construction and operation in return for sponsorship <ref name= "Martin"/>. The deal stalled however, due to Kodak’s (who sponsored Journey Into Imagination among other things in Walt Disney World) unhappiness with Fuji Film moving into Disney World. Eventually, plans for the coaster fell through <ref name= "Martin"/> and the show building still remains unused.
===History Since Opening Day===
Throughout its history the Japan pavilion has seen a relatively few number of changes. In 1981, the Yakitori House was expanded <ref name= "Martin"/>.  In 2007, the Japan’s Teppanyak Dining Room Restaurant was completely redesigned and expanded. The restaurant was divided into two restaurants, eventually reopned as the more modern Teppan Edo & Tokyo Dining. The two other restaurants in Japan Temoura Kiki, Tempura Kiki and Matsu No Ma lounge also closedwere combined into a new dining location called Tokyo Dining. Later that year, the refurbishment on the pavilion’s fortress was also complete<ref name= "Martin"/>. In December 2011, the Yakitori House closed for refurbishment. When the restaurant reopened, its name was changed to Katsura Grill, a new restaurant opened<ref> http://www. Bijutsuwdwmagic.com/dining/yakitori-kan is currently displaying, "Spirited Beasts: From Ancient Stories to Anime Stars" which shows how mythological creatures are being Incorporated into Japanese pop-culturehouse.htm </ref>.
On October 20, 2015 a new exhibit titled Kawaii - Japan's Cute Culture opened in the Japan pavilion. This gallery features various pieces that will give guests a taste of Japan's Kawaii culture. <ref> http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/japan/news/20oct2015-photos---epcots-japan-pavilion-gallery-updated-with-new-kawaii---japan's-cute-culture-exhibit.htm </ref>