ADDING MULTIMEDIA Promoting Japan Heritage Stories Abroad to Stimulate Inbound Tourism - "Travel through Our History," a Specially Produced Promotional Video for International Audiences Premieres November 22, 2024

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 22, 2024--

Since 2015, the Agency for Cultural Affairs has designated stories that convey Japan’s culture and traditions through the diverse historical charms and characteristics of various regions as “Japan Heritage.” The agency supports initiatives that comprehensively utilize various tangible and intangible cultural properties essential to telling these stories.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241121158770/en/

To promote the unique “stories” of the 104 Japan Heritage sites nationwide to both domestic and international audiences, The “Cross-Media Japan Heritage Promotion Project” (hereafter referred to as “the Project”) has been launched. The Project is undertaking diverse initiatives, including video production and content dissemination, with a particular focus on strengthening outreach to global audiences. As part of this effort, a specially assembled creative team has produced a Japan Heritage promotional video titled “Travel through Our History,” released on the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ official YouTube channel on Friday, November 22, 2024.

Capturing timeless "moments" of cultural properties and landscapes with long histories through photography, highlights from Japan Heritage sites #33, "Mt. Daisen: Japan’s Largest Livestock Market ~Livestock and devotion to Jizo Bodhisattva~" (Tottori Prefecture) and #48, "Izumo: A Land of Myths, Gods, and Sunsets" (Shimane Prefecture) have been beautifully documented in two short films. Each video highlights the captivating aspects of Japan Heritage stories nurtured alongside the enduring history in each region.

Relive the "Stories" of Japan Heritage
A Series of 104 short vertical videos "Japan Heritage Daily" to be released with English subtitles
As part of the Project, a collection of 104 short, vertical videos are being released under the title “Japan Heritage Daily,” designed to provide a quick, immersive experience for smartphone viewers. Each video, approximately 60 seconds long, offers a brief journey through the 104 Japan Heritage sites, allowing viewers to “relive” the experiences awaiting them at each site and discover new insights. Aimed at a broad audience, including younger generations, these engaging vertical shorts provide an approachable way to enjoy Japan Heritage stories.

Currently being released in Japanese, all "Japan Heritage Daily" videos on YouTube will soon feature English subtitles to reach global audiences. By sharing the stories of Japan Heritage with international audiences as well as domestic viewers, we hope to foster awareness of Japan Heritage and further stimulate inbound tourism interest.

"Japan Heritage Daily" (English Subtitled)
Release Date: Sequentially from around January 2025
"Japan Heritage Daily" YouTube Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_ndIdJX38cCvUHOmFdTpeQQ3CwA-fMVG
(on the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ official channel)

Overseas Promotional Video"Travel through Our History"
This remarkable Japan Heritage promotional video, produced by a specially assembled creative team, is based on "capturing the 'moments' of cultural properties and landscapes with long histories through photography." The filming was carried out by a special team formed for the Project. International staff with accolades, such as the Emmy Awards, Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, and ACC Tokyo Creativity Awards, gathered to showcase Japan Heritage from a foreign perspective in a captivating way.

"Travel through Our History" Video URL: (on the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ official channel)
Daisen:https://youtu.be/xExdT41Yi3g
Izumo:https://youtu.be/tgeCCvS4y4k

About Japan Heritage
"Japan Heritage" is a designation by the Agency for Cultural Affairs for stories that convey Japan's culture and traditions through various regions' historical charms and characteristics. The designation aims to promote regional revitalization by comprehensively developing and utilizing a wealth of captivating tangible and intangible cultural assets, which are essential in talking these stories, with local communities taking the initiative.
Japan Heritage Portal Site: https://www.japan.travel/japan-heritage/

*This press release is distributed by the Project office as part of a commissioned project from the Agency for Cultural Affairs.

"Izumo: A Land of Myths, Gods, and Sunsets" (Photo: Business Wire)

"Mt. Daisen: Japan’s Largest Livestock Market ~Livestock and devotion to Jizo Bodhisattva~" (Photo: Business Wire)

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Russia has supplied anti-air missiles to North Korea in exchange for it sending troops, a top South Korean official said Friday.

The U.S., South Korea and others say North Korea has sent more than 10,000 troops to Russia to support its war against Ukraine. What Russia would give North Korea in return has been the focus of keen attention.

National Security Director Shin Wonsik told a SBS TV program Friday that South Korea has found Russia has provided anti-air missiles and other equipment to reinforce its air defense network for Pyongyang, the capital.

Shin says Russia has also give diverse economic assistance to North Korea.

Seoul and Washington have voiced worries about possible Russian transfers of sensitive nuclear and missile technology to North Korea.

South Korea’s spy agency told lawmakers Wednesday that North Korea had recently sent additional artillery systems to Russia as well. Last month, the National Intelligence Service said that North Korea had sent more than 13,000 containers of artillery, missiles and other conventional arms to Russia since August 2023 to replenish its dwindling weapons stockpiles.

Earlier this week, North Korea and Russia reached a new agreement for expanding economic cooperation following high-level talks in Pyongyang this week, according to the countries’ state-run media.

In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un delivers a speech during an opening ceremony of a defense exhibition in Pyongyang, North Korea Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

FILE - Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un pose for a photo during a signing ceremony of the new partnership in Pyongyang, North Korea, on June 19, 2024. (Kristina Kormilitsyna, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File)