61-year old Japanese housewife, Tomiyo Yamada is a huge fan of the World Expo. Yamada battled illness to set a new attendance record at the 2005 Aichi World Expo by visiting it 243 times -- a number she plans to surpass at this year's Shanghai Expo.

Having visited the 2005 World Exposition in central Japan's Aichi Prefecture at least once every day during its 185-day run, Yamada intends to do the same thing at the Shanghai Expo. She'll study the various pavilions and has already volunteered to be the guide and consultant for the Japanese pavilion.

Still it is Aichi that holds a special place in Yamada's heart. Although she suffered two heart attacks, she continued visiting the Aichi expo park daily, snapping tens of thousands of pictures.

Having already rented an apartment in Shanghai's Pudong New Area, the frail yet lively 61-year old moved in last November. She travelled to the Expo site 18 times to see the construction progress before the park opened.

Tomiyo Yamada, Japanese Visitor, said, "This is the list for today, and it's also evidence of my attendance today. I will take a picture with it everyday during the following 184 days to prove my full attendance."

Motivated by her enthusiasm, the entire Yamada clan are now huge fans. Her husband retired in March and her eldest son will take a vacation so they can attend the Shanghai exhibition together.

Yamada is also Japan's first ticket holder for the Shanghai Expo. She was awarded it at a Tokyo ceremony last year kicking off the promotional campaign for the Shanghai event.

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