UNESCO decides to add a group of ancient Japanese sites in Nara Prefecture to the World Heritage list, recognizing evidence of how Japan’s centralized state develops. The sites are titled “Asuka-Fujiwara: Archaeological sites of Japan’s Ancient Capitals and Related Properties.” The World Heritage Committee makes the decision at a meeting held in Busan, South Korea. Sources describe the ruins as important for understanding the early formation of Japan’s political and administrative system. The inscription is presented as Japan’s 27th World Heritage site. While the reporting focuses on the committee’s formal decision and the significance of the selected locations, both outlets identify the same UNESCO program action, the same site name, and the same context of the decision during the committee meeting. The addition increases the number of World Heritage properties in Japan and highlights the international recognition of the historical archaeological record in the Asuka and Fujiwara areas.