The UNESCO advisory body ICOMOS has recommended the inscription of the Asuka-Fujiwara Imperial Capital as a World Cultural Heritage site [1].

This recommendation recognizes the foundational era of Japanese statehood and culture, highlighting the transition into a centralized imperial system during the late 6th and early 8th centuries [2].

The proposed site consists of 19 archaeological sites located in Nara Prefecture, including Asuka-village [1]. Among these are the Kitora Kofun and Takamatsuzuka Kofun, which are known for their uniquely decorated burial mounds [2]. The collection also features Asuka-dera, recognized as Japan's earliest Buddhist temple [2].

"We recommend the inscription of the Asuka-Fujiwara Imperial Capital as a World Cultural Heritage site," a spokesperson for ICOMOS said [2].

If the formal registration is approved, Japan's total number of World Heritage sites will increase to 22 [1]. A formal decision is expected at the World Heritage Committee meeting held in Busan, South Korea [3]. While some reports indicated the meeting would occur in July 2024 [3], other sources suggest the government aims for registration in 2026 [3].

The Nara Prefecture Governor said, "Anyway, I am happy" [3].

The Asuka-period sites illustrate the emergence of early Japanese governance and the introduction of continental influences through Buddhism and architecture [2]. These sites serve as a physical record of the formative years of the Japanese imperial capital system, a period that defined the nation's early political structure.

“"We recommend the inscription of the Asuka-Fujiwara Imperial Capital as a World Cultural Heritage site."”

The potential inscription of the Asuka-Fujiwara Imperial Capital would formalize the global historical significance of the Asuka period. By securing World Heritage status, Japan would not only increase its count of protected sites to 22 but also ensure higher international standards for the preservation of these early Buddhist and imperial ruins, which are critical to understanding the origins of the Japanese state.