Hokkaido's Shiretoko Peninsula

The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources has told UNESCO that Shiretoko would merit inclusion as a world natural heritage site because it meets ecosystem and biodiversity criteria, Environment Minister Yuriko Koike said.

UNESCO notified the Foreign Ministry of the recommendation May 31, she said during a news conference.

The registration is expected to be decided on during the 29th session of the World Heritage Committee in Durban, South Africa, to be held from July 10 to 17, the officials said.

According to the IUCN, the site represents a good example in which marine and land ecosystems are correlated, and the area is very important for salmon, migrating birds and sea mammals such as sea lions in terms of biodiversity, the officials said.

If approved, Shiretoko would be Japan's third natural heritage site on the UNESCO list. The Shirakami mountains that straddle Aomori and Akita prefectures, and Yakushima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture were added to the list in 1993 for their ancient forests and rich flora.

The Japan Times Weekly: June 4, 2005
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