Report on National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties (structures) Designation Submitted

On October 21, the Council for Cultural Affairs submitted a report on nine sites in total of 65 structures to be designated as Important Cultural Properties to MATSUNO Hirokazu, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. The list includes the former Nara Prison, the oldest surviving prison built in the Meiji period, and Koiwai Farm (Shizuku City, Iwate Prefecture), a pioneer of Western-style farm. In addition to the list, two districts, monzen-machi of Togakushi Shrine (Nagano City), which retains its historical landscape, and the fishing village of Mugi Town in Tokushima Prefecture, which prospered from skipjack fishing, were also suggested to be the Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. (Japanese)