Tag - unesco

 
 

UNESCO

JAPAN / Politics
Dec 22, 2016
Japan pays UNESCO dues after reforms soften ire over Nanjing Massacre documents
Japan has made its annual contribution to UNESCO after withholding the funds over the U.N. heritage body’s decision to include “Documents of Nanjing Massacre” in its Memory of the World program, Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said Thursday, citing UNESCO reforms as the reason for the change of heart....
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Dec 12, 2016
Let’s discuss Japanese festivals joining UNESCO’s heritage list
Thirty-three traditional festivals from across Japan have been added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
EDITORIALS
Oct 26, 2016
UNESCO and Japan
If Japan is unhappy with the way UNESCO is run, it should present rational proposals to improve the operation from within instead of by resorting to financial pressures.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 25, 2016
UNESCO adds 40 km of Kumano Kodo pilgramage routes to World Heritage register
Japan’s strained relationship with UNESCO took a positive turn earlier this week after the organization approved the registration of an additional 40 km of the Kumano Kodo routes to its World Heritage register.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / COUNTERPOINT
Oct 22, 2016
Why is Japan refusing to pay UNESCO its dues?
The Japanese government announced that it is withholding its payments owed to UNESCO. This is a $37 million expression of displeasure over the organization’s decision last year to include a Chinese submission on “Documents of Nanjing Massacre” in the Memory of the World Register. It is also a warning...
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 19, 2016
U.N. rewrites history; Jews look on bright side
The absurdity of a UNESCO resolution that denies any historical Jewish connection with the Temple Mount in Jerusalem may end up giving Israel a rare upper hand at the U.N.
JAPAN
Oct 14, 2016
Japan holding back payment to UNESCO
Japan is facing an uphill battle in its attempt to wield influence at UNESCO.
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Sep 28, 2016
A first: ICC sentences Islamist rebel to nine years for Timbuktu antiquities destruction
War crimes judges on Tuesday sentenced a former Islamist rebel who admitted wrecking holy shrines during Mali’s 2012 conflict to nine years in prison, in the first such case to focus on destruction of cultural heritage.
LIFE / Language / COMMUNICATION CUES
Aug 15, 2016
Tokyo museum makes World Heritage list
An art museum in Tokyo and 16 other buildings designed by French architect Le Corbusier are to be added to the World Heritage list.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 19, 2016
Ex-JET teachers eyed to help improve English-language tourist information
Former Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme participants (JET program) could be tapped to improve English-language information at cultural landmarks under a proposal being considered by the Cultural Affairs Agency.
LIFE / Language
Apr 4, 2016
Pizza may get listed on UNESCO’s menu
Sample newspaper article
LIFE / Language / COMMUNICATION CUES
Feb 29, 2016
Bid for world heritage status for Christian sites retracted
The government has decided to retract its recommendation to UNESCO that a slew of churches and other Christian sites be listed as World Heritage sites.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 5, 2016
Japan’s rural temples see the light in luxury tourism
Deep in a forest in Fukui Prefecture, a 13th century Buddhist temple where Steve Jobs once dreamed of becoming a Zen monk has teamed up with a Tokyo skyscraper builder to seek the commercial enlightenment of foreign tourist dollars.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Nov 18, 2015
Retracing forced laborers’ journey, Koreans finally bring their loved ones home from Hokkaido
A decade-long effort by civic groups in Japan and South Korea culminates in a 3,500-km journey to bring back the remains of wartime forced laborers.
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Oct 19, 2015
UNESCO strikes political nerve with Nanking Massacre documents
A fierce battle is raging over UNESCO’s stewardship of history.
Japan Times
WORLD
Oct 19, 2015
Kerry lobbies for U.S. to remain on UNESCO board despite funding row
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday lobbied for the United States to be re-elected to UNESCO’s board, promising to work with Congress to restore funding after Washington cut off its contributions in 2011 in protest over the Palestinians being admitted as full members.
COMMENTARY / COUNTERPOINT
Oct 17, 2015
Japan’s public diplomacy of churlish cluelessness
Enough is enough. How dare UNESCO inscribe primary sources and a wartime video about the Nanking mayhem into global memory? I fully support the Japanese government’s threats to withdraw funding from UNESCO to protest its recent decision to include a dossier submitted by China, “Documents of Nanjing Massacre,“...
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 14, 2015
Abe, China’s Yang vow to promote dialogue
A top Chinese government official met Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo on Wednesday, agreeing to promote a “mutually beneficial strategic relationship” between the two Asian titans despite the latest diplomatic row over the 1937 Nanking Massacre, a Japanese official said.
JAPAN
Oct 13, 2015
Tokyo mulls cutting UNESCO funding after U.N. body registers Nanking Massacre documents
The U.N. body’s acceptance of Beijing’s documents on the Nanking Massacre prompts Tokyo to consider reducing or discontinuing funds.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jul 20, 2015
Malian masons rebuild Timbuktu tombs destroyed by Islamist occupiers
Malian masons have rebuilt eight mausoleums destroyed by Islamist militants who took over the desert city of Timbuktu in 2012, the United Nations and Malian officials said.

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The Terasaka Rice Terraces are seen with Mount Buko in the background.
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