The UNESCO World Heritage Committee adopts a resolution at its 48th session in Busan, urging Japan to improve how it presents the history of the Sado mines, a World Heritage site on Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture. UNESCO calls on Japan to reflect the “whole history” of the property across all periods of mining exploitation in on-site interpretation and displays. The committee’s decision is adopted by consensus without debate and addresses Japan’s response to UNESCO’s assessment of the State of Conservation report.
UNESCO says Japan’s follow-up measures related to wartime history are still insufficient and requests further clarification on how interpretation plans and on-site facilities comprehensively cover the full mining history at the site level. The committee asks Japan to provide regular updates to the World Heritage Committee on its progress.
The resolution also recommends that Japan consult with Korea to improve site facilities and presentation strategies, including how the wartime use of forced laborers from the Korean Peninsula and other Asian countries is addressed at the site through appropriate on-site signposting and information.
