Press Releases
Statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan on the Inscription of the “Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites” on UNESCO’s World Heritage List (Decision at the 38th Session of the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO)
June 21, 2014
- The Government of Japan is truly pleased that on June 21 (same day local time), the 38th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee being held in Doha, Qatar, adopted a resolution that decides to inscribe the “Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites” on the World Heritage List.
- The “Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites” have been highly praised as important platforms for technological innovation that made mass production of high-quality raw silk possible and fulfilled an important role in the advancement of the world’s silk industry. The Tomioka Silk Mill incorporated Western technologies and enabled the mass production of high-quality silk while making use of the traditional sericulture of the region, which contributed to Japan becoming the world’s foremost silk exporting country. This latest decision is expected to serve as an opportunity for making the global role that the “Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites” performed more widely known worldwide.
- In the future also, the Government of Japan will strive to preserve Japan’s assets, including the “Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites,” while promoting their appeal more to the world.