Bangkok: The archaeological sites of Japan's ancient capital have been registered as World Heritage Sites. UNESCO officially announced the inscription of the "Asuka-Fujiwara: Archaeological Sites of Japan's Ancient Capital and Related Properties" as a new World Heritage Site at the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea.

According to Thai News Agency, this group of historical sites is located in the southern part of the Nara Basin and comprises the villages of Asuka, Kashihara, and Sakurai. These areas were pivotal as political and religious centers of Japan from the late 6th to the early 8th century (592-710 AD). This region is often referred to as the "cradle of Japanese civilization," representing a significant period in Japan's transition from tribal governance to the establishment of a centralized state under ancient law (Ritsuryo) and the imperial institution. Moreover, it highlights the cultural and technological exchange and the adoption of Buddhism from mainland China and the Korean Peninsula.

The World Heritage site includes 19 significant archaeological locations, such as the Asuka and Fujiwara Palace Ruins, which provide evidence of Japan's earliest palace system and capital city planning. Other notable sites include the Takamatsuzuka Tomb, renowned for its vibrant murals designated as a National Treasure; the Kitora Tomb, known for the discovery of the oldest astronomical maps in East Asia; and the Asukadera Temple, Japan's first full-fledged Buddhist temple, constructed by craftsmen from the ancient Baekje Kingdom.

This latest designation increases Japan's total number of World Heritage Sites to 27, with 22 cultural sites and 5 natural sites.