History
This 11-minute podcast discusses the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites. Comparing Japan with Central Asia, it can be seen how Japan’s cultural treasures are very well preserved, but some sites in poor countries [for example, in Varanasi, India] that should be World Heritage Sites do not get enough community or outside support. This podcast explains how the Great Buddhas of Bamiyan did not get protected and were destroyed. This is a case of what “falling through the cracks” means. Furthermore, in discussing UNESCO’s acceptance of Japan’s Kii Mountain Range sacred sites, a deep cause of discrimination against women is revealed.