The World Heritage Convention was adopted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1972. Its aims are to preserve cultural and natural legacies of the world with conspicuous and universal value for future generations.
As of January 2002, Japan and 167 other countries had signed the convention. By signing, these countries pledged to the world that they will preserve the legacies within their lands for future generations, and with this pledge, accept the obligation and responsibility to cooperate with other countries in protecting common World Heritage legacies of mankind.
Today, there are 851 World Heritage sites in 135 nations. In 1993, the Shirakami-Sanchi Mountain Range, Yaku-shima Island, Himeji-jo Castle, and the Buddhist monuments of the Horyu-ji Temple Area were registered as Japan’s first World Heritages. Since then, many others were included on the list; there are now a total of 14 World Natural Heritage sites in Japan as of July 2008.
The Japan Foundation, New York is proud to offer the World Heritage photo panels to cultural and educational institutions throughout the U.S., to introduce the breadth of these great cultural heritage sites in Japan. Our focus is to bring Japanese arts and culture to areas with little previous exposure to Japan. This exhibition set consists of 61 spectacular photos of world heritage sites in Japan. We hope that you have the opportunity to show them in your classes or display them at exhibitions.
For more information, please email info@jfny.org or call 212-489-0299.
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