Press Releases
Inscription of “Yama, Hoko, Yatai, float festivals in Japan” on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
(Statement by Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida)
1. On December 1 (on November 30 local time), it was decided at the 11th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Addis Ababa, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, that “Yama, Hoko, Yatai, float festivals in Japan” nominated by Japan was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and I am very pleased with the decision. I express my sincere respect to all relevant people who dedicated until today for promotion and succession of “Yama, Hoko, Yatai, float festivals in Japan”.
2. The 33 festivals of “Yama, Hoko, Yatai, float festivals in Japan” have their own character as well as common points between each other. They also show many kinds of attractions of their own region in Japan.
3. I hope more people are interested in various regions in Japan thanks to “Yama, Hoko, Yatai, float festivals in Japan” and promote their excellent values to the world.
