Genbaku Dome

Genbaku Dome is an architectural remain located in Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture. It was originally built in 1915 as the Hiroshima Prefectural Products Exhibition Hall before being severely damaged in 1945 when it was attacked by tactical nuclear weapon for the first time in the human history. Due to the value of preserving the state of damage caused by such a historical event of universal significance, the architectural remain was designated National Historical Site in 1995 and inscribed on the World Cultural Heritage List in 1996. It is well known that the registration was exceptionally based on only one criterion. The fact that such registration was achieved immediately after the adoption of the Nara Document was symbolic action of the deepening of discussion on cultural heritage some 30 years ago. Today it is one of the most iconic cultural heritage sites in Japan, but after the war there was a long debate as to whether or not it should be conserved. It took almost 20 years for its historical value to be recognised and for the decision to be made to conserve it. A great deal of time and effort has also been expended on how to preserve the damages by the nuclear weapon. Genbaku Dome, including the process leading up to its conversion to a cultural heritage, provides many suggestions on the value of cultural heritage and its diversity.