Jun 02 (NHK) - Japan's government is to withdraw a recommendation to list nature-rich islands in the southwest of the country as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site.
Friday's decision followed last month's evaluation by a UNESCO advisory panel that said the registration should be deferred.
In February last year, the government submitted an application to list the islands of Amami-Oshima, Tokunoshima and Iriomote as well as the northern part of Okinawa Island. It said the area of about 38,000 hectares contains a large number of endemic and globally threatened species and is important for conserving biodiversity.
But the International Union for Conservation of Nature, or IUCN, which advises UNESCO, noted that the nominated area does not meet its integrity requirements. It recommended that adjustments should be made.
Environment Minister Masaharu Nakagawa says the government will fully study the IUCN's evaluation.
He indicated that a revised application may be submitted by February 1st next year to seek a listing in 2020 at the earliest.
