Press Releases

The inscription of “Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region” on UNESCO’s World Heritage List
(Decision at the 42nd Session of the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO)
(Statement by Foreign Minister Taro Kono)

June 30, 2018
Japanese
  1. 　As Foreign Minister of Japan, I am very pleased that today on June 30th (same day local time) at the 42nd Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in Manama, Bahrain, a decision was made to inscribe on the World Heritage List “Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region”, which Japan had nominated as a candidate for the list.
  2. 　“Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region” bears precious evidence of the history of the people and their communities who secretly transmitted their faith in Christianity during the time of prohibition spanning more than two centuries in Japan. I heartily welcome the inscription of this property which tells a very unique history in the world. At the same time, I hope that the inscription this time will attract wider attention from people around the world on this valuable property built by the Hidden Christians in Japan who secretly continued their faith during the ban on Christianity.
  3. 　We will continue to promote dissemination of the appeal of Japan’s World Heritage sites including “Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region” with initiatives that include overseas communication in cooperation with other relevant ministries and agencies.

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