Japan excludes some areas of Sado Mine from World Heritage designation... Government urges "reflect entire history"

Japan Excludes Facilities Since Edo Period Following Advisory Panel Recommendations

The government stated on the 14th that it hopes Japan, which is promoting the designation of 'Sado Mine' as a World Heritage site, will also accept the advisory body's recommendation to reflect the entire history. This position comes after Japan announced that it would accept the advisory body's recommendation to adjust the World Heritage area of 'Sado Mine' by excluding some zones.

Sado Island Kitazawa Ruins

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on the 14th that Japan appears to have decided to accept the recommendation of the UNESCO advisory body, the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), to exclude certain areas including the Kitazawa Floating Ore Dressing Plant.

He added, "Our government's position that an explanation of the entire history of Sado Mine is necessary is also reflected in the ICOMOS recommendation," and urged, "We hope Japan will actively accept this recommendation as well."

According to a report by Kyodo News, a Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs official announced at a ruling Liberal Democratic Party meeting the previous day that they plan to accept the advisory body's recommendation to exclude areas where most of the heritage dates from the Edo period or later from the Sado Mine World Heritage site. The Kitazawa Floating Ore Dressing Plant, located in the Kitazawa district, is a modern heritage symbolizing Sado Mine and a representative landscape created after the Edo period.

The Korean government maintains the position that since Sado Mine was a site of forced labor of Joseon people, the Japanese government must also accept the ICOMOS recommendation that the entire history be faithfully reflected.

ICOMOS, after reviewing Sado Mine on the 6th, recommended a 'deferment' and requested not only the adjustment of the heritage area but also the establishment of explanatory and exhibition strategies that comprehensively cover the entire history, as well as the prohibition of commercial mining within the heritage and buffer zones.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.