Japan to nominate mines for Unesco list despite South Korean protest


Traces of a mine at ruins of Aikawa Gold and Silver Mine on Sado Island, Japan. - Reuters

TOKYO (Reuters): Japan is set to nominate several mines for consideration as world heritage sites by Unesco, its prime minister said on Friday (Jan 28), despite protests from South Korea that the move is inappropriate as forced labourers were used there in World War Two.

Japan's cultural affairs agency selected the gold and silver mines on the island of Sado as candidates for listing by the United Nations cultural organisation in December, citing the development of traditional handcraft techniques. The site was also the world's top producer of gold in the 17th century, according to the agency.

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Japan , South Korea , Unesco , mines , dispute

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