Press Conference by the Prime Minister regarding the Status of Consideration toward the Inscription on the World Cultural Heritage List of the Sado Complex of Heritage Mines, Primarily Gold Mines

(Regarding the status of consideration toward the inscription on the World Cultural Heritage list of the Sado complex of heritage mines, primarily gold mines)

Responding to your question about the Sado complex of heritage mines, primarily gold mines, let me mention that we have given comprehensive consideration in light of taking the most effective measures to realize its inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Sado Mines have a high reputation as a rare industrial heritage site that continued to operate on a large scale over a long period of time, taking advantage of traditional handicraft unique to Japan during the Edo period. I am aware that despite its high value, efforts to have the Sado Mines inscribed on the list have been met with various arguments and opinions. Calm and careful discussions are required so that the outstanding value of the Sado Mines as a cultural heritage can be fully recognized. For this to happen, we have been considering the most effective timing for the submission of an application, leading to the conclusion that an application this year to initiate discussions at an early stage would most likely open the way for achieving the inscription. This is how we decided to seek Cabinet approval on February 1 for the application to UNESCO. We will strengthen cross-ministerial efforts to respond to various arguments, including those concerning historical background, by establishing a task force for the inscription of the Sado Mines on the World Heritage List, headed by Mr. TAKIZAKI, Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary, with the participation of relevant ministries and agencies. In doing so, we will actively utilize the expertise provided by experts in the private sector. The entire government will work together for the realization of the inscription of the Sado Mines on the list.