Cooperation with International Organizations (UNESCO,UNU)

Mr. Chair, thank you for the opportunity to deliver this statement on behalf of the Government of Japan. The Sado Island Gold Mines is an extraordinary example of the continuity of manual mining and smelting technology in the Asian context in a period until the mid 19th century, when mechanization was progressively being introduced elsewhere. It is an honor for the Government of Japan that Sado Island Gold Mines has been inscribed as a World Heritage which is of the Outstanding Universal Value. Concerning three recommendations by ICOMOS, the Government of Japan has already completed responding to all of them in full.

In regard to the WHC’s recommendation e), Japan has been engaging in close dialogue with the ROK to develop an interpretation and presentation strategy and facilities that comprehensively address the whole history of the Sado Island Gold Mines, including the workforce from the Korean Peninsula.

Bearing in mind all the relevant WHC decisions as well as its commitments associated with these decisions, and sincerely remembering all the workers at the Sado Island Gold Mines, especially those from the Korean Peninsula, Japan will faithfully and thoroughly implement the recommendation and continue to make efforts to enhance the interpretation and presentation strategy and facilities that comprehensively address the whole history of the Sado Island Gold Mines in close consultation with the ROK.

With a view to demonstrating its commitments to do so and its willingness to amicably resolve differing views with the ROK with regard to the Sado Island Gold Mines, Japan already installed new exhibition materials relating to all the workers at the interpretation and presentation facility in the site to explain the severe conditions of their work and remember their hardship.

A Memorial Event for all the workers at the Sado Island Gold Mines will also be held annually in the site.

Taking this opportunity, allow me to briefly introduce some elements exhibited at the local facility in Sado:
- During the wartime, the National Mobilization Law, and the National Requisition Ordinance and other relevant measures were introduced even in the Korean Peninsula. At first “Open Recruitment” and then “Official Placement” were implemented with the involvement of the GovernmentGeneral of Chosen, an administrative organ in the Korean Peninsula established by Japan. Since September 1944, "Requisition" obliged workers to engage in tasks, and imprisonment or fines were imposed against its violation.
- In the exhibition room, there are also data indicating that a higher percentage of workers from the Korean Peninsula engaged in dangerous tasks inside the mine shafts such as rock drilling, shoring, and hauling. There are also a record of labor dispute over working conditions, a record of food shortage, and a record of a fatal accident. One record states that the average number of working days in a month was 28 days for those from the Korean Peninsula. Another record shows that there were escapes and imprisonment of the workers from the Korean Peninsula.

Mr. Chair, distinguished Members of the Committee,
The Government of Japan expresses its deep appreciation to all the members of the World Heritage Committee including Bulgaria who has kindly submitted the amendment, UNESCO Secretariat and ICOMOS members, for their kind cooperation towards the inscription based on their understanding of the Outstanding Universal Value of this property.