It is the hope and pride of Okinawans to continue to pass on the culture created by our ancestors during the Ryukyu Kingdom and inherited by us.

Last year, the Japan Agency for Cultural Affairs recommended that nine sites in Okinawa Prefecture, including Shuri-jo Castle, known collectively as the "Ryukyu Kingdom Gusuku Castles and Related Historic Sites", be registered as World Heritage Sites.

The World Heritage program was created out of a convention adopted by signatories from 156 countries at the general meeting of UNESCO in 1972. This system was established to aid international cooperation in the protection and preservation of the world's natural and cultural legacies for the benefit of all humanity.

The announcement regarding the registration of these sites is expected in December, 2000 and all Okinawans are eagerly awaiting what we hope will be a positive outcome This is the third in this series on the areas being nominated as World Heritage Sites.