At the 37th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, it was officially decided on the 22nd to include Mount Fuji, recommended by the Japanese government, in the World Cultural Heritage list. The committee spoke highly of the cultural value of Mount Fuji, noting that it embodies the Japanese people’s reverence for mountains and has been featured as a symbol of Japan in many forms of art including ukiyo-e prints. As a result, Mount Fuji has become Japan’s 17th World Heritage Site.
Japan officially began preparations for Mount Fuji’s World Heritage nomination in 1994, and this successful inscription fulfills a 20-year aspiration for the country.
According to Japanese media reports, the nomination aims to better protect Mount Fuji. To alleviate environmental pressures, Shizuoka Prefecture plans to implement several measures, including charging climbers a fee. Riding on the momentum of the successful nomination, Shizuoka Prefecture will also promote "viewing Mount Fuji from afar" tourism: speeding past Mount Fuji on the Shinkansen, soaking in hot springs while admiring the snow-capped peak, or gazing at the beautiful mountain scenery from tea plantations—all offer a uniquely memorable experience.