This is absolutely true. However, there is a certain amount of abstaining in the early parts of any administration where the opposition party allows some of the agenda of the new president to go through. These days, it seems to be getting shorter! Moreover, the situation with UNESCO could be tagged on to a much larger bill that Republicans generally support. Republicans might be willing to accept this "earmark" in exchange for their own pet projects. If the Clinton administration pushes for it early, on there is no reason they should not find success. Yet, Clinton support of UNESCO is up in the air, I have no idea if she values the organization, its not like they discuss this topic on the campaign.

I also think, in Japan's case, that this is not such a long-term issue. The Japanese government was and is concerned with Memory of the World heritage inscriptions like Nanjing and a Comfort Women nomination in the works. If UNESCO grants some type of revision to their current evaluation process, or when these nominations pass, I feel Japan may pay their dues with no issues.

JAPAN's tentative site coordinate point

ASUKA-FUJIWARA
34.473334, 135.820790 Itabuki Palace Site
34.466875, 135.826038 Ishibutai Kofun
34.462259, 135.806115 Takamatsuzuka Tomb
34.451111, 135.805278 Kitora Tomb
34.472500, 135.817500 Kawara-dera Site
34.489322, 135.817397 Daikandai-ji Site
34.466389, 135.792222 Asagaotsuka Kofun
34.464167, 135.806111 Nakaoyama Kofun
34.475556, 135.823333 Sakafune Ishi Site
34.466944, 135.812778 Jōrin-ji Site
34.478611, 135.820556 Asuka-dera Site
34.470000, 135.817778 Tachibana-dera Precinct
34.465714, 135.797690 Iwayayama Kofun
34.480278, 135.818333 Asuka Mizuochi Site
34.462975, 135.822734 Inabuchi Palace Site
34.460833, 135.790556 Marukoyama Kofun
34.478104, 135.822158 Asuka Pond Workshop Site
34.456667, 135.803056 Hinokuma-dera Site
34.473490, 135.821031 Asuka Palace Ponds
34.471667, 135.828056 Oka-dera Site
34.484167, 135.830000 Yamada-dera Site
34.502222, 135.807222 Fujiwara Palace Site
34.492778, 135.800000 Moto Yakushi-ji Site
34.476389, 135.803889 Ueyama Kofun
34.476667, 135.798056 Maruyama Kofun
34.472500, 135.807778 Shōbuike Kofun
34.496111, 135.807483 Fujiwara-kyō Suzaku Avenue Site
34.515000, 135.805556 Yamato Sanzan

KAMAKURA
35.326078, 139.556391 Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū
35.324175, 139.549220 Jufuku-ji
35.331790, 139.555148 Kencho-ji
35.326844, 139.575024 Zuisen-ji
35.316704, 139.535697 Kamakura Daibutsu
35.330785, 139.564030 Kakuon-ji
35.306984, 139.531403 Ruins of Buppō-ji
35.327990, 139.567692 Ruins of Yōfuku-ji
35.326127, 139.561172 Ruins of the Hokkedō
35.322122, 139.534254 Ruins of the Hōjō Tokiwa Residence
35.329919, 139.550114 Kamegayatsuzaka Pass
35.325941, 139.544733 Kehaizaka Pass
35.318752, 139.531607 Daibutsu Pass
35.310200, 139.528596 Gokuraku-ji
35.337813, 139.548030 Engaku-ji
35.325576, 139.564216 Egara Tenjin Shrine
35.326437, 139.551194 Jōkōmyō-ji
35.327612, 139.592132 Asaina Pass
35.320443, 139.559318 Ruins of Tōshō-ji
35.307139, 139.565046 Nagoshi Pass
35.344031, 139.630262 Shōmyō-ji
35.300691, 139.550653 Wakae Island

HIKONE-JO
35.276323, 136.251972 Hikone Castle

JOMON SITES
42.547223, 140.770330 Irie-Takasago Shell Mound
42.402063, 140.911287 Kitakogane Shell Mound
42.116111, 140.526111 Washinoki Site
41.957680, 140.925335 Ōfune Site
41.066012, 140.554065 Ōdai Yamamoto Ichi Site
40.888164, 140.339304 Tagoyano Shell Mound
40.884880, 140.339546 Kamegaoka Stone Age Site
40.811461, 140.697249 Sannai-Maruyama Site
40.748415, 141.229615 Futatsumori Shell Mound
40.738611, 140.728611 Komakino Site
40.571944, 141.458889 Chōshichiyachi Shell Mound
40.473862, 141.491348 Korekawa Stone Age Site
40.271618, 140.804141 Ōyu Stone Circles
40.203038, 140.347241 Isedōtai Site
40.198145, 141.306376 Goshono Site

OKINOSHIMA
34.246667, 130.104167 Okinoshima
34.241389, 130.103889 Munakata Taisha - Okitsu-Miya
33.896944, 130.432222 Munakata Taisha - Nakatsu-Miya
33.831111, 130.514444 Munakata Taisha - Hetsu-Miya
33.841389, 130.487778 Katsuura Takahara Tumulus Cluster
33.816981, 130.487474 Shinbaru-Nuyama Tumulus Cluster
33.780223, 130.488172 Miyajidake Tumulus
33.798995, 130.540696 Tōgō Takatsuka Tumulus
33.843889, 130.495278 Sakurakyō Tumulus
33.778611, 130.491944 Tebika Yunoura Tumulus Cluster
33.771667, 130.499722 Tebika Namikirifudō Tumulus
33.778611, 130.489167 Miyaji Idenokami Tumulus
33.804444, 130.478333 Sudata Nitatsuka Tumulus
33.803026, 130.481410 Sudata Misotsuka Tumulus
33.802778, 130.481667 Sudata Shimonokuchi Tumulus
33.803333, 130.481667 Sudata Amafurijinja Tumulus
33.803056, 130.483611 Sudata Kaminokuchi Tumulus
33.803673, 130.484110 Ōishi Okanotani Tumulus
33.810556, 130.483889 Yukue Ōtsuka Tumulus
33.837789, 130.485417 Katsuura Minenohata Tumulus
33.837575, 130.486368 Katsuura Inoura Tumulus

NAGASAKI CHURCHES
32.734167, 129.870183 Oura Cathedral
33.139313, 129.536981 Kuroshima Church
32.802291, 128.903683 Former Gorin Church
33.012589, 129.182852 Kashiragashima Church
33.339602, 129.577589 Tabira Church
32.844966, 129.700319 Shitsu Church
32.864920, 129.685860 Ōno Church
33.187139, 129.129603 Former Nokubi Church
32.855268, 128.903971 Egami Church
32.629151, 130.254155 Hara Castle
32.659774, 130.252366 Hinoe Castle remains
33.341109, 129.443024 Hirado Island's sacred places and villages
32.312413, 130.025704 Sakitsu Village in Amakusa

SADO
37.907860, 138.324896 Nishimikawa Placer Gold Mine
38.041376, 138.258185 Aikawa Gold and Silver Mine
38.043683, 138.262675 Odate Vertical Shaft
38.038967, 138.235376 Oma Port
38.037152, 138.241865 Kitazawa Flotation Plant
38.024746, 138.274829 Tsurushi Silver Mine
38.024746, 138.274829 Tojigawa Hydro Power Plant
38.058226, 138.233846 Fukiage Quarry
38.168840, 138.308237 Katabe-Kanoura Quarry

MOZU
34.575723, 135.488391 Hanzei-tenno-ryo Kofun
34.575577, 135.490309 Tenno Kofun
34.574972, 135.489893 Suzuyama Kofun
34.563875, 135.487278 Nintoku-tenno-ryo Kofun
34.568195, 135.486835 Nagayama Kofun
34.567239, 135.488787 Chayama Kofun
34.565802, 135.490600 Daianjiyama Kofun
34.565071, 135.491429 Genemonyama Kofun
34.562835, 135.490650 Tsukamawari Kofun
34.560447, 135.492258 Kagamizuka Kofun
34.559343, 135.499232 Bozuyama Kofun
34.558917, 135.488082 Osamezuka Kofun
34.560232, 135.485058 Magodayuyama Kofun
34.561159, 135.483386 Tatsusayama Kofun
34.561910, 135.481903 Kitsuneyama Kofun
34.562981, 135.482493 Dogameyama Kofun
34.565183, 135.484223 Hinotani Kofun
34.566870, 135.484276 Komoyamazuka Kofun
34.567179, 135.485601 Maruhoyama Kofun
34.557644, 135.487675 Nagatsuka Kofun
34.557041, 135.483942 Guwashobo Kofun
34.556809, 135.482561 Hatazuka Kofun
34.555427, 135.484382 Zenizuka Kofun
34.553944, 135.483798 Higashiuenoshibacho Kofun
34.554365, 135.477658 Richu-tenno-ryo Kofun
34.555886, 135.480087 Terayamaminamiyama Kofun
34.556778, 135.479633 Shichikannon Kofun
34.557029, 135.475169 Higashisakenomi Kofun
34.557761, 135.473457 Nishisakenomi Kofun
34.559764, 135.468377 Hinokizuka Kofun
34.555868, 135.465380 Chinooka Kofun
34.552599, 135.472543 Kyodo Kofun
34.549995, 135.472357 Kabutozuka Kofun
34.546718, 135.481818 Monjuzuka Kofun
34.553329, 135.485698 Itasuke Kofun
34.552614, 135.486877 Zenemonyama Kofun
34.554752, 135.490685 Gobyoyama Kofun
34.555885, 135.492199 Mozuyama Kofun
34.554426, 135.495496 Chinjuyamazuka Kofun
34.555854, 135.499817 Gobyo-omotezuka Kofun
34.552647, 135.500141 Jonoyama Kofun
34.546950, 135.498445 Nisanzai Kofun
34.544536, 135.493577 Donchayama Kofun
34.544028, 135.493250 Shorakujiyama Kofun
34.581733, 135.593613 Tsudoshiroyama Kofun
34.577907, 135.584823 Hayatozuka Kofun
34.576557, 135.584897 Yuryaku-tenno-ryo Kofun
34.576059, 135.586283 Shimaizumi-hiratsuka
34.565457, 135.594155 Chuai-tenno-ryo Kofun
34.567897, 135.595380 Hachizuka Kofun
34.563604, 135.595625 Warizuka Kofun
34.573550, 135.616623 Ingyo-tenno-ryo Kofun
34.575519, 135.621045 Inuizuka Kofun
34.572814, 135.618664 Miyanominamizuka Kofun
34.572014, 135.615522 Karatoyama Kofun
34.571464, 135.614641 Nabezuka Kofun
34.570132, 135.612760 Nakatsuhimeno-mikoto-ryo Kofun
34.568060, 135.612920 Suketayama Kofun
34.568191, 135.613564 Nakayamazuka Kofun
34.568112, 135.614290 Yashimazuka Kofun
34.569711, 135.608701 Matsukawazuka Kofun
34.568163, 135.609585 Komuroyama Kofun
34.567227, 135.609074 Sekimenyama Kofun
34.566602, 135.608955 Otorizuka Kofun
34.563089, 135.608921 Ojin-tenno-ryo Kofun
34.565459, 135.608857 Kondamaruyama Kofun
34.563737, 135.611407 Futatsuzuka Kofun
34.563916, 135.612210 Higashiumazuka Kofun
34.562707, 135.612717 Kurizuka Kofun
34.561708, 135.605726 Higashiyama Kofun
34.568895, 135.602912 Sandoyama Kofun
34.565942, 135.603136 Banshoyama Kofun
34.561720, 135.602315 Hazamiyama Kofun
34.560148, 135.602288 Nonakamiyayama Kofun
34.557511, 135.604135 Hakayama Kofun
34.559004, 135.604383 Nonaka Kofun
34.557208, 135.606165 Mukohakayama Kofun
34.556183, 135.606756 Nishiumazuka Kofun
34.556962, 135.602026 Joganjiyama Kofun
34.555836, 135.600464 Aoyama Kofun
34.559395, 135.598533 Inarizuka Kofun
34.556651, 135.596618 Ninken-tenno-ryo Kofun
34.556904, 135.595089 Nonoue Kofun
34.552178, 135.597219 Minegazuka Kofun
34.548976, 135.600596 Seinei-tenno-ryo Kofun
34.549437, 135.601994 Koshiragayama Kofun
34.551253, 135.604119 Yamatotakerunomikoto-hakuchoryo Kofun
34.548872, 135.610006 Ankan-tenno-ryo Kofun
34.546567, 135.610362 Kasugayamada-kogo-ryo Kofun

HIRAIZUMI (EXTENSION)
39.006944, 141.099444 Yanagi-no-Gosho Site
38.968889, 141.058056 Takkoku-no-Iwaya
39.025000, 141.134722 Shirotori-tate Site
39.012778, 141.096667 Chōjagahara Haiji Site
38.981667, 140.951667 Honedera-mura Shōen Site

AMAMI – RYUKYU
28.288901, 129.378591 Amami Oshima
27.778057, 128.969325 Tokunoshima
26.715000, 128.229722 Northern part of Okinawa Island
24.335000, 123.833333 Iriomote Island

No more visitor allow to Okinoshima

The report said from next year no more visitor allow to visit the island. The ban will include the current 200 men quota too. So only few Shinto priests and academic on preservation will be allow to visit this island.

http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/no-visitors-allowed-on-japans-men-only-une sco-island-okinoshima

As is the norm, late July means Japan's official submission will be announced 2 years in advance. I think we can expect an announcement on Monday or shortly thereafter.

The shortlist is between these properties:
- Jômon Archaeological Sites in Hokkaidô, Northern Tôhoku, and other regions (2009)
- Mozu-Furuichi Kofungun, Ancient Tumulus Clusters (2010)
- The Sado complex of heritage mines, primarily gold mines (2010)

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20170719/p2a/00m/0na/009000c

An argument for Sado Island
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/06/26/national/niigata-governor-lobbies-get-sad os-mines-listed-unesco-world-heritage-sites/#.WW8atv_yvHo

Sado Island Complex (Japan)

This article is unclear regarding the official nomination (recommendation), but Sado would fit into Japan's current ambition to inscribe Industrial heritage sites. We'll know soon enough.

Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal Mining (2015)
Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites (2014)

http://www.niigata-nippo.co.jp/news/politics/20170719336012.html

Reasons to not select Jomon Sites and Sado revealed

The reason why Jomon sites have not been selected as official nomination again is that there are also many Jomon Sites in other parts of Japan, so the question of why the sites in Hokkaido and nothern Tohoku are special or have better OUV comparing with other Jomon Sites in Kyushu cannot be demonstrated. The nomination team have to go back to make a comparative study again.

For Sado the official reason is much simple that there are many gold and silver mines around the world, Sado dossier cannot show its OUV why it is special.

https://mainichi.jp/articles/20170809/ddl/k02/040/005000c

http://www.sankei.com/smp/region/news/170803/rgn1708030075-s1.html

Hikone Castle aims for 2024 WHC

But the dilemma still there, going alone as a new WHS or combine with other castles as extension of WHS Himeji-jo

http://www.chunichi.co.jp/article/shiga/20170921/CK2017092102000010.html

It honestly is just a mine with maybe the specialty of having imported various techniques from around the world over time, and the collapsed mountain feels cool but again nothing they would add to the list these days. Maybe mine sites just get the idea because others are already on the list that they can get the same treatment - still unclear what was special about the Polish mine added earlier this year.

Japanese ICOMOS announced potential national TWHS on 20th Century heritage

1) Ueno Park and its cultural facilities in Tokyo, Asian first park based museum.
2) Yoyogi National Gymnasium in Tokyo, architecture masterpiece of Kenzo Tange.
3) Tateyama Sabō Erosion Control Works, engineering works for torrent and mountain stream controlling in Japan Alps.
4) Power generation facility group in Kurobawa River system in Toyama
5) Seto Ohashi Bridge, great suspension bridge.
6) Seikan Tunnel that connect Hokkaido and Honshu Island.
7) Maizuru naval facilities and urban planning, early town development during Russo-Japanese war.
8) Modern Garden of Nanzenji Temple in Kyoto, a unique combination of irrigation works, Victorian villas and traditional Japanese garden.
9) Tsukuji Fish Market and Bridges on Sumida River in Tokyo.
10) Akasaka Palace, State Guesthouse in Tokyo.
11) Chochikukyo House in Kyoto, impressive design of KoujiFujii, an early modern architect of Japan.
12) Large wooden accommodations for hot spring resort in Hakone, collections of many hotel buildings in the area.
13) Hisatsu Railway Line in Kyushu.
14) Museum of Modern Art in Kamakura, work of Junzo Sakakura as an example of early Japanese modern architecture.
15) Arita's cultural landscape / townscape, industrial and cultural facilities group, pottery industry.
16) Asakura House in Tokyo Daikanyama, example of architecture from the Taisho era.
17) Koiwai Farm in Iwate, first comprehensive farm in Japan since 1891.
18) Saijo Sake Industrial heritage, local breweries.
19) Tokaido Shinkansen Line (Tokyo - Osaka), first high-speed railway.
20) Cultural landscape of castle town of Iga Ueno, example of castle reconstruction movement during 20th century.

What is the link please ?

Thanks, interesting list

Educational Heritages of Edo Japan



Japanese Cultural Affairs Agency is pursuing to nominate historical sites on education during Edo Period after recognized that Academic and educational heritage group of Mito clan (Ibaraki Prefecture) and Ashikaga school and Ashikaga's heritage (Tochigi Prefecture) have potential to be WHS. The project also expanded to cover other educational sites in Bizen of Okayama prefectures. From the latest report on this matter, Kangien of Hita in Oita Prefecture, the private school that did not require qualifications for admission and taught five thousand students over a period of eighty years, is the latest to join the project. https://mainichi.jp/articles/20180322/ddl/k44/040/175000c

We may see this project in the new revised tentative list of Japan.

Osaka Earthquake - WHS damage

An initial report some damage to Byodo-in, a part of Kyoto WHS.

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2018/06/83801a558d04-urgent-strong-quake-hits-west ern-japan.html

Jomon sites for 2020
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/07/19/national/japanese-government-eyes-jomon- period-sites-world-heritage-designation/#.W1DMm9IzY2w