InsideJapan News Network

The Japanese government has requested that its iconic Mount Fuji be placed on the World Heritage List.

A formal request has been submitted to UNESCO – the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation – asking that it be given the protected status.

Government officials announced today that they would like the highest mountain in Japan to become a World Heritage site along with the ancient city of Kamakura, the Mainichi Daily reported.

Now, the International Council on Monuments and Sites, which acts as an advisory body to UNESCO, will conduct a survey of the two locations later this year with a view to them being placed on the list of culturally significant landmarks in 2013.

So far 12 important sites in Japan have made it onto the UNESCO list, while a further ten remain on Japan's provisional list, the news provider said.

These include Horyuji Temple and Himeji Castle, both of which were added to the list in 1993.

Written by Susan Ballion


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