Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010
Kyodo News
Iwate Prefecture's Hiraizumi historic area, including the golden hall of Chusonji Temple KYODO PHOTO
The government said Monday it will recommend that the Hiraizumi historic area and the Ogasawara Islands be designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Japan plans to submit documents to the world body later this month and the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO is expected to make decisions on applications in summer 2011 after preliminary examinations.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature will examine the Ogasawara Islands, a natural heritage candidate, and the International Council on Monuments and Sites will assess the Hiraizumi area in Iwate Prefecture, a cultural heritage candidate.
The government also said Monday it will apply for adding more areas to the World Heritage site at the Iwami silver mine in Shimane Prefecture, which is listed as a cultural heritage site. The application will be examined this summer.
Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and its Cultural Landscape. A mine shaft open to the public. Facilities for rockfall prevention (Ginzan Sakunouchi). © Haruo Inoue / Haruo Inoue
The Ogasawara chain covers some 7,400 hectares, including Chichijima Island, Hahajima Island and surrounding sea areas.
Ogasawara Islands
Rare species such as the Bonin flying fox, designated as a protected species, live there.
Hiraizumi, which was the governing base of the powerful 12th-century Oshu Fujiwara samurai clan in what is now Iwate Prefecture was recommended to UNESCO in 2006 on the grounds its architecture and gardens are artistic masterpieces that re-create the Buddhist concept of heaven. The application was turned down in 2008.
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