Our Ref.: TP/GJ/74

Paris, 25 June 2024

For the attention of:
The Hon Masahito Moriyama,
Minister of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology
Mr Shun’ichi Tokura,Commissioner for Cultural Affairs
The Hon Seitaro Hattori,
Governor of Fukuoka Prefecture
Mr Masami Terasaki,
Superintendent of Education,
Fukuoka Prefecture
The Hon Kazuhisa Takeuchi,
Mayor of Kitakyushu CityMr Tsuneo Tanaka,
Speaker of theKitakyushu Municipal Assembly
Ms Yumi Tashima,
Superintendent of Education,
Kitakyushu City

Subject: Expressing grave concern regarding the conservation of Archaeological Remains of theFirst Moji Railway Station Complex, Kitakyushu City, Japan
Dear Madam, Sir, Your Excellency,
The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) is the leading global organization
representing professionals dedicated to cultural heritage conservation. With almost 11 000 members
accross 130 countries, ICOMOS fervently advocates for the conservation and safeguarding of cultural
heritage, serving as an advisory body to the 1972 UNESCO World Heritage Convention.
In solidarity with the concerns voiced by ICOMOS Japan and in response to the urgent need for action, I
express my grave concern as President of ICOMOS, about the imminent and irreversible threats facing thearchaeological remains of the First Moji Railway Station Complex. Should the concerns of ICOMOS Japanand the Japanese cultural heritage community not be sufficiently taken into consideration - ICOMOS will
have to take the step in the near future to issue an internationally publicized Heritage Alert.
The city of Moji rose to prominence as one of Asia's pivotal cities in the late 19th century, following
extensive development, including the establishment of a modern port and terminus railway station tofacilitate the export of coal and other commodities. Recently uncovered remnants of the original Moji
Railway Station Complex, constructed in 1891, have been assessed by numerous scholars as bearing
witness to the city's origins. Notably, the remarkably well-preserved foundations of the engine shed serveas compelling physical evidence of the integration of modern Western architectural and engineering
techniques with traditional Japanese pre-modern methods.
ICOMOS contends that the destruction of such nationally and internationally significant remnants, evenfollowing salvage excavation and documentation, runs counter to Japan's cultural heritage protectionpolicies. Such actions set a regrettable precedent and jeopardize both national and international heritage
preservation endeavours.

ICOMOS - 11 rue du Séminaire de Conflans - 94220 Charenton-le-Pont - France+ 33 (0) 1 41 94 17 59 - secretariat@icomos.org - www.icomos.org

ICOMOS urgently calls upon the Kitakyushu City Government and Kitakyushu City Council to immediately
suspend the decision to destruct the remains of the First Moji Station complex, reassess the development
plan and prioritize the comprehensive conservation of the remaining sections of the First Moji StationComplex. In addition, we urge the relevant Japanese ministries to spare no effort in ensuring theconservation of this exceptionally important national and international heritage.
ICOMOS stands ready to offer its full expertise and support to the Kitakyushu municipal authorities andrelevant ministries in their efforts to conserve this irreplaceable cultural heritage.
Yours sincerely,

Teresa Patricio
President of ICOMOS