S/ Lee Byong Hyun, Chairperson, World Heritage Committee / Adopted.

S/ Reporter / The Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara have just been designated as a World Heritage site.

On July 26, the World Heritage Committee decided at its meeting in Busan, South Korea, to designate the Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara in Nara Prefecture as a world cultural heritage site.

Nara Governor Yamashita Makoto and other officials from Japan rejoiced at the decision.

The Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara consist of 19 archaeological sites, including the Asuka Palace Site and the Fujiwara Palace Site, believed to have been imperial palaces, as well as the Takamatsuzuka Mounded Tomb, where vividly colored murals were discovered.

The group of ruins are regarded as valuable evidence of the roughly 100-year period from the late sixth century during which Japan developed into a centralized state governed by legal codes.

S/ Yamashita Makoto, Nara Governor / We believe the origins of Japanese culture and spirituality are in Nara. In that sense, we want to continue preserving the roots of Japan's spiritual culture while sharing its value with the world even more actively.

With this inscription, the number of World Heritage sites in Japan now stands at 27.

S/ Reporter / The Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara have just been designated as a World Heritage site.

A public viewing event took place in the city of Kashihara, home to the Fujiwara Palace Site.

About 350 people witnessed the moment of the decision.

S/ Kashihara resident / I’m happy. I want to preserve this beautiful sight.

S/ Kashihara resident / I want people to learn about Japanese history. 

S/ Kashihara resident / I feel very proud. I hope this World Heritage designation will make Asuka and Fujiwara more widely known and bring greater vitality to the region.

At a department store in Kashihara, clerks offered local sake and other items to customers to celebrate the registration.

This marks the fourth World Heritage inscription in Nara Prefecture, giving it the highest total among all 47 prefectures in Japan.