Japan's Asuka-Fujiwara sites, linked to Korean history, recommended for UNESCO status

A UNESCO advisory body has recommended the Asuka-Fujiwara Palace Sites in Japan for World Heritage status, underscoring their significance in understanding ancient East Asian cultural exchange. This recommendation brings renewed attention to the historical ties between Japan and Korea, particularly the influence of the ancient Korean kingdom of Baekje.

The proposed sites, dating from the 6th to 8th centuries, played a crucial role in establishing Japan's first centralized state and the adoption of the national name "Japan" and the title "Emperor." The nomination includes 19 sites, such as the palace ruins of Emperor Tenmu and the Takamatsuzuka Tomb, famous for its "Asuka Beauty" murals. The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), a UNESCO advisory body, gave the highest "recommendation for inscription" rating after on-site evaluations, recognizing the sites' value in demonstrating Japan's development through exchanges with other East Asian nations.

This potential inscription is particularly significant due to the strong links between the Asuka sites and Korea's Baekje Historic Areas, already a UNESCO World Heritage site. Archaeological evidence suggests that Baekje artisans and scholars were instrumental in transmitting Chinese Buddhist and architectural culture to Japan. For example, Japan's first Buddhist temple, Asuka-dera, was built with the expertise of Baekje craftsmen, and influences from Baekje are evident in pottery, metalwork, Buddhist art, and architectural styles found in the Asuka region.

The Japanese ruling Liberal Democratic Party anticipates that the inscription of the Asuka-Fujiwara Palace Sites will foster positive relations between Japan and South Korea. Japan currently holds 26 World Heritage sites, comprising 21 cultural and 5 natural sites. The final decision on the Asuka-Fujiwara Palace Sites' inscription will be made at the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee, scheduled to be held in Busan, South Korea, next month.

“

The value of the ruins group, which shows the birth of ancient Japanese states in exchange with East Asian countries, has been emphasized, creating a breakthrough.