Publications
World Cultural Heritage and women’s exclusion from sacred sites in Japan
Women's exclusion from Okinoshima, a remote and uninhabited island central to Japan's cultural and religious heritage, gained international attention during its World Heritage inscription process. Despite the island's significance as part of the 'Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region,' which was inscribed in 2017, its restrictive access policies—particularly barring women due to religious beliefs—remained a contentious issue. The study highlights how this exclusion clashed with global heritage values, prompting petitions to national and international bodies from July 2015 onward. While the island's tangible heritage, such as shrines and artifacts, has been extensively documented in Japanese scholarship, the social and ethical dimensions of its preservation received comparatively less attention until its World Heritage recognition.
Landform mapping of Okinoshima island and sea bed of Munakata city
A comprehensive landform mapping of Okinoshima Island and the seabed of Munakata City reveals significant geological insights, contributing to the understanding of the Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region. The study identifies a horseshoe-shaped caldera structure formed by the set of islands, with Okinoshima rising approximately 340 meters above a flat seabed. Topographic analysis shows a shallow flat table to the west and a concave area inclining eastward. Using GIS, the research integrates ground elevation maps, slope maps, relief maps, and 3D images, alongside geospatial data from GSI and JHA, to classify landforms such as crests, steep cliffs, and talus cones. The findings highlight restricted access areas while providing valuable references for understanding the island's formative processes.
Report on the 2017 Inscription of “Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region" as a Unesco World Heritage Site
UNESCO's 2017 inscription of the 'Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region' as a World Heritage Site highlights the cultural and historical significance of Kyushu, Japan, and its broader maritime connections. The tiny, remote island of Okinoshima, despite its challenging accessibility, has been a locus of ritual practices for over 500 years, with four distinct forms of rituals documented. However, the reasons behind its sacredness remain unclear due to limited access and historical records. Unlike other ancient Japanese sites, Okinoshima's role in mythology and its association with the Munakata region are distinctive. A government-built harbor in 1951 facilitated military access but did not address the broader cultural and historical questions surrounding the site.
Comparative Study of Inscription Process of Islands Property on UNESCO's World Heritage List: Focusing on 'The Southwestern Coast Tidal Flats' in Korea and 'The Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region' in Japan
A comparative analysis of the UNESCO World Heritage inscription processes for 'The Southwestern Coast Tidal Flats' in Korea and 'The Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region' in Japan reveals two key differences: shared awareness among stakeholders in Japan, leading to systematic participation and governance, versus fragmented engagement in Korea. While Japan's site was inscribed in 2017, Korea's remains on a tentative list after seven years, highlighting the importance of cohesive local stakeholder involvement and policy network dynamics for successful heritage recognition.
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