Agency for Cultural Affairs announced to have submitted request for Preliminary Assessment for Hikone Castle to UNESCO on 5th September. With taking this announcement, Shiga Prefecture notifies the comment of Governor of Shiga Prefecture.

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Today, Agency for Cultural Affairs announced to have submitted request for Preliminary Assessment for Hikone Castle to UNESCO.

On July 4th, since the National Cultural Council lectured us that it is effective for Hikone Castle to consider Outstanding Universal Value with applying Preliminary Assessment as opinions to consider national candidates for nomination, we have prepared for the request for Preliminary Assessment with consulting with Agency for Cultural Affairs. This is the course to submission.

In terms of two issues pointed by the National Cultural Council, we have dealt them to explain that all elements such as moats, stone walls and castle keep contributed the governing functions of castles as a whole and Hikone Castle is the best-preserved example in the point of those elements comprehensively.

We pledged our determination again to convey the value of Hikone Castle to the world with making efforts to gain better evaluation through the dialogue with ICOMOS and pushing forward inscription as well as promoting Shiga as suitable prefecture for contains World Heritage Site.

We keep on trying toward Hikone Castle’s inscription with supports and guidance by Agency for Cultural Affairs, National Cultural Council, Scientific Committee and relevant organizations.