Road to the World Heritage Site of "Kanayama on Sado Island" Interview with the former UNESCO Executive Secretary April 13, 14:33
With the enthusiastic appeal of the locals, "Kanayama of Sado Island" has finally been recommended in Japan.
To the long-sought world heritage registration.
What is required in the future?
We asked Koichiro Matsuura, a former UNESCO secretary general, who knows all about UNESCO.
(Niigata Broadcasting Station Reporter Tatsuya Yamashita / Director Yumika Ichiyanagi)
"Unusual annotation"
The end of December last year.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs' council reported that "Kanayama on Sado Island" would be selected as a nomination candidate.
It seemed that the long-sought domestic recommendation was approaching, but there was an "unusual commentary" ...
"Selection is not a recommendation decision, but a comprehensive study will be conducted within the government in the future."
Since there have been no cases where the government did not officially recommend it after receiving a report from the council, I was worried that the domestic recommendation would be safe in the local Sado.
Even after that, South Korea was repulsed as a place where workers from the Korean Peninsula were forced to work, and the locals became more and more worried.
However, this is February 1st.
The government submits a nomination letter to UNESCO.
There were voices within the government and the ruling party calling for a cautious response in light of the opposition from South Korea, but Prime Minister Kishida said to UNESCO as requested by Niigata Prefecture and others that it "has a high reputation as a keuna industrial heritage." He stated that he would recommend it.
In the past month, the mood of giving up has begun to drift in the local area, so it was a so-called “reversal” domestic recommendation decision.
With this background, we began to wonder, "What is a World Heritage Site?"
"Who is the most familiar with World Heritage Sites ..."
Koichiro Matsuura (84) came to mind.
He is a former UNESCO Executive Secretary.
Japanese who know all about UNESCO
Mr. Matsuura served as UNESCO's secretary general for two terms and ten years from 1999.
Moreover, it is the first UNESCO top in Asia.
He has traveled around the world, supporting countries seeking to be registered as World Heritage Sites, and has been instrumental in creating treaties to protect intangible cultural heritage.
It is exactly "a person who knows all about UNESCO".
Mr. Matsuura is still busy traveling all over the country to give advice to local governments and organizations working toward World Heritage registration.
When I ask for coverage ...
Former UNESCO Secretary-General Koichiro Matsuura
"I have been cooperating to register Sado as a World Heritage Site for more than 10 years. Should I talk about South Korea? I want to talk about what I can talk about."
An interview will be available in Niigata City in late March.
What is "Kanayama on Sado Island"?
There are 55 mines on the island of Sado.
Produced 78 tons of gold and 2330 tons of silver in 400 years from the Edo period.
In the 17th century, it became one of the largest gold producing areas in the world, and Sado's gold had a great impact on the world economy.
To become a World Heritage Site, "significant universal value" must first be recognized.
According to Mr. Matsuura, "remarkable universal value" is, in a nutshell, "global value that anyone can see as wonderful."
Therefore, the range of the mine was limited.
This time, we are aiming to become a World Heritage Site as "Kinzan of Sado Island":
▼ "Nishi
Mikawa Sand Gold Mine" ▼ "Aikawa Tsurushi Gold and Silver Mine" (= assets that can prove the value concretely).
Regarding the gold production system and production technology, he emphasized that the mines and settlements remain as one as an archaeological site.
Furthermore, the range of the times was narrowed down.
The target period this time is "the end of the Warring States period-the Edo period".
In order to clarify the value of the ruins, we targeted the Edo period, when traditional handicrafts different from mines in Western countries developed.
In the interview, we first asked about the "significant universal value" of "Kanayama on Sado Island."
Former UNESCO Secretary-General Koichiro Matsuura
"Japan developed Japan's unique handicraft technology during the isolation period. In that sense, Sado is very important not only in the history of Japan but also in the history of the world. As a gold mine, there is a Roman gold-producing site ("Las Medulas") in Spain, but it is very small, and a large-scale gold-centered world heritage such as Sado currently exists. plug"
World Heritage Committee resolution
Questions arise here.
Why can registration as a World Heritage Site be a problem even though the target period is up to the "Edo period"?
South Korea claims that it is "a place where workers from the Korean Peninsula were worked" during the war, that is, during the period when it was not subject to the examination of "Kanayama on Sado Island."
Mr. Matsuura's view on these claims is ...
Former UNESCO Secretary-General Koichiro Matsuura
"Unfortunately, it may adversely affect'Kanayama on Sado Island'."
Mr. Matsuura is concerned about the resolution adopted by the World Heritage Committee last year over "Meiji Japan's Industrial Revolutionary Heritage".
The resolution stated that it was pleased that many aspects of the resolution, which requested the Japanese side to respond at the time of registration, were observed, but said that it strongly regrets that it has not been fully implemented yet.
On top of that, over the historical exhibition that Japan announced at the time of registration, there
were many people from the Korean Peninsula who were brought in against their will and worked in a harsh environment, and
▼ the recruitment of the Japanese government. We are seeking measures to help people understand the policy.
Furthermore, it is pointed out that "the full history, that is, the explanation of all history including the period other than the period when the value of the ruins is recognized (corresponding to a remarkable universal value)" is pointed out.
In response to these points, when the resolution was issued, a foreign ministry official told NHK that "Japan has taken the resolutions and recommendations of the World Heritage Committee seriously and promised, including the measures promised. We have been implementing them in good faith, and we will continue to be in a position to implement these resolutions and recommendations in good faith. "
Japan's response to the resolution will be discussed at the UNESCO World Heritage Committee next year.
Mr. Matsuura says that this deliberation may affect the registration of "Kanayama on Sado Island" as a World Heritage Site.
This is because next year's UNESCO World Heritage Committee will decide whether or not to register "Kanayama on Sado Island".
Mr. Matsuura acknowledged that all historical facts during the period not subject to registration, including during the war, should be explained.
Former UNESCO Secretary-General Koichiro Matsuura
"In UNESCO, there is the word" full history. "Although after the period covered by the recommendation," full history "including how many Korean Peninsula people worked in Kanayama. We should survive by explaining honestly and exhibiting. "
The deliberation of the World Heritage Committee is usually decided by "unanimous" (unanimous, and if it is voted, registration is decided by the approval of more than two-thirds of the countries).
This is because there is a philosophy of "the treasure of all humankind" and the approval of all countries = consensus is required.
Mr. Matsuura said that getting "unanimous" is a big hurdle.
Document review and field survey
It seems that there are some barriers that must be overcome even in the local area before it is registered as a World Heritage Site.
A letter of recommendation submitted by the Japanese government to UNESCO.
It is "Icomos" that advances the examination.
A UNESCO advisory body, an NGO organized by experts.
According to Professor Emeritus Yasuyoshi Okada of Kokushikan University, who is familiar with the examination process of ICOMOS, it takes more than a year to register.
Based on the submitted letter of recommendation, ICOMOS has already begun reviewing documents, and an investigator will visit Sado around the fall of this year to conduct a field survey.
After that, a panel (examination committee) was set up in ICOMOS, and after finally summarizing the ideas of ICOMOS, the evaluation results are recommended around May next year.
Professor Emeritus Yasuyoshi Okada of Kokushikan University
"In the document screening, experts in mining and history examine whether" outstanding universal value "is properly claimed in comparison with other cases, and the quality of the recommendation letter is completed. On the other hand, no one who is familiar with the history of mines and Japan comes to the field survey. The job is to find out if there is any lie in the contents of the recommendation letter. Make sure that preservation and management are in place without compromising value. "
Professor Emeritus Okada expressed some concern at the end of the interview.
"I'm worried about'Nishi Mikawa Sand Gold Mine'. It's hard for the general public to understand what the value of the site is. A facility to explain its value is required. Icomos field researchers will look very closely."
Local issue 1 Gold dust that attracted His Imperial Highness Taiko, but ...
Nishimikawa Sand Gold Mine is the oldest sand gold mine in Sado, which is said to have appeared in the "Collection of Old and New Stories" during the Heian period.
Gold dust has been collected using a unique technique called "large sink" that cuts down mountains and flushes excess earth and sand with a large amount of water.
During the Warring States period, the famous military commander was also watching.
It's Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
Hideyoshi ordered Kagekatsu Uesugi of Echigo to rule Sado and paid the gold dust of Nishimikawa.
In the Sasagawa village at the foot of Mt.
The members of the association also thought that the value of the ruins would be difficult to understand at first glance without knowing the history.
Therefore, we have installed information boards and worked on tourist guides.
However, there are only five guides in the village.
It is difficult to adequately respond to visitors, and the shortage of human resources is a source of concern.
Mr. Yasushi Moriyama, Vice Chairman of the Sasakawa Landscape Conservation Society
"I'm honestly worried that the acceptance system is not completely in place. It is difficult to create a system that can be registered at any time, but for those who come I want to respond as much as possible. "
Regional issues 2 I don't want to have a temporary boom
On the other hand, there is some data that interests me.
It is a comparison of the number of visitors after being registered as a World Heritage Site over the years.
In places where it is difficult to understand the value of the ruins at first glance, such as the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and the Tomioka Thread Mill, there are few repeaters and the number of visitors tends to decline.
How does Mr. Matsuura, who has seen many World Heritage Sites, see this graph?
Former UNESCO Secretary-General Koichiro Matsuura
"The Tomioka Thread Mill was the first modern factory in Japan in the Meiji era, and the remains of that factory remain. I don't know its value. Some tourists wonder, "Why is it a world heritage?" "
" A system that can properly explain the historical flow of Kanayama and its position in the world as a whole . "
I have to arrange it. "
Currently, in the area near the knee of Aikawa Gold and Silver Mine, the residents are playing a central role in promoting a certain plan because they want to publicize the area with the ruins as a whole.
They are trying to use vacant houses, which are increasing due to the declining birthrate, to make them accommodation facilities for visitors such as accommodation facilities and restaurants.
Accommodation facilities and information facilities have been developed using the dormitories of former workers, which are close to the mine.
He wants to make it a place where you can experience the lifestyle, history and culture of the mine.
Motoyoshi Iwasaki, the representative of the "Aikawa wheelchair" who promotes the activity, said, "I think that utilizing the ruins without leaving them will help protect them. I want the visitors to understand the charm of Aikawa more." is.
Former UNESCO Secretary-General Koichiro Matsuura
"For solid conservation, the people in the area must be the first to take responsibility. It also requires administrative backup. From the perspective of utilization, people from Japan and abroad. It is important for people to understand the ruins and their history. It is important to maintain and utilize them properly. "
World Heritage and Peace 105 years old Message from a former Kanayama employee
A local person informed me of the existence of a woman who was actually working in the mine.
It is Shizu Tanaka (105), the author of the book "Sado Kinzan".
Mr. Tanaka graduated from high school in Aikawa 89 years ago in 1933, and worked as the first female clerk at the Sado mine.
"How do you feel about World Heritage Sites?"
Although I was too old to interview directly, I received a message.
There was a wish to be registered as a World Heritage Site.
"At that time, Sado's gold production was extremely prosperous and vibrant. I experienced a horrifying war in such a background. Excellent young people from the mine were driven to the battlefield, and some returned in the war. There were many. The family was crying and crying. I prayed for eternal peace while watching the tragedy of the war up close. In the limited time, there were diplomatic and political problems. Anyway, as long as I live, I want to keep my eyes on the registration of "Kanayama on Sado Island" as a world cultural heritage. "
(Excerpt from a message from Mr. Tanaka)
A woman who experienced war and wished for peace while working in Kanayama is so enthusiastic about World Heritage Sites.
She finally asked Mr. Matsuura, "What is the significance of registering as a World Heritage Site?"
Former UNESCO Secretary-General Koichiro Matsuura
"The primary purpose of UNESCO is to prevent war. In the preamble to the UNESCO Charter," War is born in the hearts of people, so peace is taken in the hearts of people. It is necessary to build a ”. Through World Heritage, there will be no misunderstandings between countries. By registering“ Kanayama of Sado Island ”, people from other countries will understand the historical background. I think we have to get them to do it, and if possible, see the site and deepen mutual exchange and mutual understanding. "
Originally, a World Heritage Site is for the countries of the world to eliminate conflict.
Through the interview, I felt that we had to keep this in mind.
Niigata Broadcasting Station Reporter
Tatsuya Yamashita
Joined in 2017 In charge of police and nuclear power plants, currently covering issues of abduction and maritime security
Yumika Ichiyanagi,
Director of Niigata Broadcasting Station
After working at the Tokyo Metropolitan Area Station, interviewed on the theme of local culture and nature.