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Wednesday, 1st May 2013
In General Japan News,

Mt Fuji recognised by World Heritage

The Japanese tourist industry received a boost yesterday (April 30th) as it was announced that Mount Fuji would be recognised as a World Heritage site.

Japan will have to wait until June to have its highest mountain formally listed following a meeting in Cambodia of the World Heritage Committee of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.

The major of Fujinomiya City, Hidetada Sudo, suggested that the listing would have a positive effect on visitor numbers to the area.

"I expect many people will visit us. This is a huge step for our city's development," he said.

An additional request by the Agency for Cultural Affairs in Japan to have a collection of cultural assets at Kamakura awarded as a World Heritage Site was declined.

Mount Fuji is approximately 100 km south-west of Tokyo and on a clear day you can see the volcano, which hasn't erupted since 1707-08, from the capital.

Written by Susan Ballion