UNESCO's World Heritage Committee has recommended the inscription of the Asuka-Fujiwara Imperial Capital as a World Cultural Heritage site [1].
The recommendation marks a significant step in recognizing the origins of the Japanese state. These sites illustrate early state formation and the cultural exchange between Japan, China, and the Korean peninsula, providing critical evidence of the region's archaeological value [2, 3].
The advisory body, Icomos, said the recommendation was issued July 6, 2024 [1]. The proposal encompasses a group of archaeological sites dating back to the seventh and eighth centuries [4]. These locations are situated within Nara Prefecture, specifically across the Asuka and Fujiwara areas [5].
Local authorities in Nara Prefecture and three municipalities have worked to secure the designation [1]. A local mayor said the recommendation was a great step forward, though officials must remain vigilant and not relax their efforts before the final vote [1].
The final decision is expected during the World Heritage Committee meeting held in July 2024 [6]. This session took place in Busan, South Korea [7].
The sites are noted for their high archaeological value, serving as the first imperial capitals of Japan [3]. By preserving these areas, the designation aims to protect the physical remnants of the administrative, and cultural heart of early Japan [3].
“The sites illustrate early state formation and the cultural exchange between Japan, China, and the Korean peninsula.”
The potential inscription of the Asuka-Fujiwara Imperial Capital would solidify Nara's status as the cradle of Japanese civilization. By linking the seventh-century Asuka period with the subsequent Fujiwara era, the designation recognizes a continuous evolution of governance and urban planning that transitioned Japan from a collection of clans into a centralized imperial state.
