UNESCO Recognizes Japan's Ancient Capital Site, Unearthing Palace Ruins Under Rice Fields

Japan's ancient capital, Asuka-Fujiwara, located in Nara Prefecture, has officially been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. The designation, made during a committee meeting in Busan, South Korea, highlights the historical significance of the area, which spans from the late 6th to the early 8th centuries.

The Asuka-Fujiwara site encompasses 19 archaeological locations, including palaces, government offices, and Buddhist temples. It serves as a crucial testament to Japan's early adoption of political systems, Buddhist culture, and advanced technologies from China and the Korean Peninsula. This period laid the groundwork for the development of later capitals like Nara and Kyoto.

Professor Yoshiyuki Aihara of Nara University emphasized the site's importance in illustrating the process of Japan's ancient state formation. However, much of the historical architecture remains buried approximately one meter beneath ordinary rice fields, meaning the scale of these ancient urban structures may not be immediately apparent to visitors from the surface.

With this new inscription, Japan now boasts 27 World Heritage sites. The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Shigeaki Koga, pledged continued efforts in cultural asset preservation for future generations. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed hope that the World Heritage status would attract more domestic and international tourists to Nara, fostering a deeper understanding of Japan's ancient culture and history.