Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced Friday that Japan will recommend a Sado Island gold and silver mine complex for UNESCO World Heritage status, a move that could inflame tensions with South Korea. Seoul opposes the registration, pointing to the use of Korean wartime labor at the sites.
Kishida told reporters that the decision is expected to be approved by the Cabinet on Tuesday.
“We will set up a task force involving relevant ministries and deal with various discussions, including historical background,” said Kishida. He denied allegations that the government had flip-flopped from its initial position.