Japan goes forward with Sado gold mine World Heritage bid

Move to include site on list sure to irk South Korea due to wartime labor issue

20220128 Kishida Press conference

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Friday told reporters he would recommend Sado Island for UNESCO's World Heritage list, after earlier in the week implying the process might be put on the back burner in the face of opposition from South Korea. (Photo by Rie Ishii)

Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO -- The Japanese government has decided to go ahead with the nomination of a site of former gold mines on Sado Island, part of Niigata Prefecture, for UNESCO's World Heritage list, bowing to conservative lawmakers looking for a campaign issue and much to the chagrin of South Koreans who feel emotional wounds from World War II.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Friday officially announced the nomination.

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