Foreign Press Center Japan
http://fpcj.jp/
October 16, 2008【IWATE Press Tour (“Hiraizumi” aims to be a World Heritage site)】
～Big challenges and issues of small towns: “Co-existence with nature” beyond time and space, nurtured by the earth and people in Iwate～
■”Hiraizumi”, ancient capital of Michinoku, aims to be a World Heritage site
Hiraizumi-cho, Iwate prefecture, Japan
About 800 years ago, the Oshu-Fujiwara family built its own political and administrative center in Hiraizumi, a place that was strategically important for waterway traffic, based upon Pure Land Buddhist cosmology and in adaptation to the diverse natural landforms.
“Cultural heritage of Hiraizumi”, centered on Chusonji Temple and Motsuji Temple, was added to Japan’s tentative list of World Heritage sites in 2001. It was recommended as a World Heritage site to the UNESCO in 2006, called “Hiraizumi- Cultural Landscape Associated with Pure Land Buddhist Cosmology”.
However, the UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee decided in July this year to “postpone the registration”. Mr. Takuya Tasso, governor of Iwate prefecture, encouraged people in the prefecture by quickly setting out a policy to aim for registration in 2011. Moreover, local entities concerned are boldly conducting activities that were initially planned, showing their determination to make another bid.
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– Mr. Takuya Tasso, Governor of Iwate prefecture
– Mr. Nobutane Chiba, World Heritage Promotion Office, Hiraizumi-cho
– Mr. Chojun Kanno, Executive Director of Chusonji Temple
– Mr. Myokyu Fujisato, Executive Director