Tokyo International News Agency

At the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, Japan's nominated property "Asuka-Fujiwara" in Nara Prefecture was officially designated as a World Cultural Heritage site. This marks Japan's 27th World Heritage listing in total. A 20-Year Dream Realized: Locals Erupt in Joy The "Asuka-Fujiwara" heritage property comprises 19 archaeological sites that showcase the establishment of a centralized state in ancient Japan. Featuring invaluable historic landmarks that laid the foundation of the nation's history—such as the Ishibutai Kofun, Kitora Kofun, and the Fujiwara Palace Site—this recognition fulfills a long-cherished goal pursued by local stakeholders and residents for two decades. The moment the official decision was announced, public viewing venues in Nara were swept up in enthusiastic cheers and joyous chants of "Banzai!" Congratulatory messages have flooded in from municipal authorities, political leaders, and official social me...

At approximately 6:29 PM on May 2, 2026, an earthquake centered in Nara Prefecture struck, triggering Earthquake Early Warnings across a wide area of the Kinki and Tokai regions. Occurring during the peak of the Golden Week holiday season—a time for dinner and leisure—the earthquake caused a surge of tension across the region. Immediately following the tremor, social media was flooded with posts from users startled by the blaring Earthquake Early Warning alerts. The impact was particularly pronounced in crowded areas; in Osaka's Umeda underground shopping district and various concert halls, thousands of mobile phones erupted with warning tones simultaneously. One attendee at a live concert in Hyogo Prefecture remarked, "The alarms went off throughout the venue just before the show started; for a second, I thought it was part of the performance." People in workplaces and restaurants were also seen freezing in their tracks as the sudden warnings filled the air. Public trans...