Updated:July 25, 2016

Mayor’s comment on the result of the selection of “Churches and Christian Sites in Nagasaki” as candidate recommended to UNESCO

July 25, 2016

Today, the Cultural Council at MEXT（Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology）wad held and they decided “Churches and Christian Sites in Nagasaki” including Kuroshima Church in our City as a candidate for this year recommended to UNECO’s World Heritage.

　Overcome many difficulties such as withdrawal of recommendation last February, which can be traced to ICOMOS interim report, it got selected again as candidate in a short period time. It’s a remarkable accomplishment and is my delight.　　

　It is fully thanks to request-activities to the government for recommendation, in collaboration with public and private sectors including the National Diet members from Nagasaki district, Sasebo City Assembly members, Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Sasebo, and Sasebo Convention and Visitors Bureau, as well as to efforts made together with Nagasaki Prefecture and other local authorities concerned under support and understanding of those concerned including local residents in Kuroshima. I really would like to express my sincere appreciation to them all.

　We will continue to make a full effort, in collaboration with Government, Nagasaki Prefecture, other concerned local authorities (Cities and Towns) and Sasebo citizens for the purpose of its registration in 2018.

Norio Tomonaga
Mayor of Sasebo