Our Ref.: TP/GJ/99

Paris, 3 September 2024
For the attention of:
The Hon Masahito Moriyama,
Minister of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology
Mr Shunichi 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 Hiromi Tashima,
Superintendent of Education,
Kitakyushu City
Mr Toshihiko Aoyagi,
Chairman, JR Kyushu RailwayCompany

Subject: Heritage Alert regarding the Archaeological Remains of the First Moji Railway StationComplex, Kitakyushu City, Japan
Dear Madam, Sir, Your Excellency,
In solidarity with the concerns raised by ICOMOS Japan and as a follow up to my letter of 25 June 2024,
ICOMOS is issuing a worldwide Heritage Alert to highlight the imminent and irreversible threat facing thearchaeological remains of the First Moji Railway Station Complex.
Moji was a small settlement until the late 19th century when its strategic location on the Kanmon strait,
separating Honshu and Kyushu, led to its selection in the 1880s for transformation into a modern city andtransportation hub. Construction of a modern port and railway began in 1889 and, following theircompletion two years later, Moji became one of Japan's most crucial coal export ports, establishing vitalconnections with Asian countries and driving modernization. The railway, directly linking Moji station andport with the coal mines, played a pivotal role in this transformation. Moji thrived as an international city,adorned with modern buildings, banks, and trading companies.
In 1914, 23 years after the first Moji Station was built, a new station building was constructed closer to theport. This second Moji Station still stands today, functioning as a station building and preserved as anational heritage site. It remains a source of pride and identity for the local community. However, the firstMoji Station was forgotten until 2023 when remains associated with the original complex, such as anengine shed, were unearthed. This discovery is of significant historic value, marking the rediscovery ofmodern Moji's birthplace. The unearthed remains provide physical evidence of the building andengineering techniques of the time, showcasing the collaboration between Japanese technicians usingICOMOS - 11 rue du Séminaire de Conflans - 94220 Charenton-le-Pont - France+ 33 (0) 1 41 94 17 59 - secretariat@icomos.org - www.icomos.org

traditional pre-modern techniques and those trained in modern Western techniques. The historic,architectural, engineering, and scientific values of the site have been widely recognized by numerous
Japanese scholars and academic associations, as well international associations and organisations,
including the International Committee for the Conservation of the Industrial Heritage (TICCIH).
Despite numerous petitions calling for conservation of the site submitted by academic associations andcitizen groups since late 2023, ICOMOS understands that the City of Kitakyushu, which owns the land
where the site is located, is intent on proceeding with plans to build public facilities, thereby neglecting theconservation of these remains. ICOMOS deeply regrets and is disappointed by the City authority's
disregard for this cultural heritage of national and international importance.
We respectfully urge the following actions:
To the City of Kitakyushu:•Suspend the ongoing salvage excavation and construction of public facilities within the area;•Initiate immediate consultations with academics to fully assess the heritage values of the site;•Engage in open dialogue with citizens, professionals and academics to discuss the site'sconservation;•Establish an academic/professional committee to develop a conservation plan for the site based on
this values assessment and the outcomes of the open dialogue.
•Refrain from issuing permits for any construction activities within the First Moji Railway Station
Complex site that may result in the destruction of archaeological remains.
To the Agency for Cultural Affairs and Fukuoka Prefectural Government:•Provide appropriate professional and technical advice and guidance to the City of Kitakyushu
regarding the proper assessment of the heritage value of the archaeological remains of the First Moji
Railway Station Complex.
To JR Kyushu:•Suspend and review works within the archaeological site of the First Moji Railway Station Complex toensure the preservation of the associated archaeological remains.
ICOMOS stands ready to offer its full expertise and support to the Kitakyushu municipal authorities, theAgency for Cultural Affairs, and the Fukuoka Prefectural Government in their efforts to conserve theremains of First Moji Railway Station Complex.
Yours sincerely,

Teresa Patricio
President of ICOMOS
Letter sent to:
The Hon Masahito Moriyama
Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, science and Technology
Cabinet Public Relations Office, Cabinet Secretariat,
1-6-1 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8968, JapanMr Shunichi Tokura
Commissioner for Cultural Affairs
Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan,
3-2-2 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8959, JapanThe Hon Seitaro Hattori
Governor of Fukuoka Prefecture
7-7 Higashi-koen, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, 812-8577, JapanMr Masami Terasaki
Superintendent of Education, Fukuoka Prefecture
7-7 Higashi-koen, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, 812-8577, JapanThe Hon Kazuhisa Takeuchi
Mayor of Kitakyushu City
1-1 Jonai, Kokura-kita Ward, Kitalyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, 803-8501, JapanMr Tsuneo Tanaka
Speaker of the Kitakyushu Municipal Assembly
1-1 Jonai, Kokura-kita Ward, Kitalyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, 803-8501, Japan
Ms Hiromi Tashima
Superintendent of Education, Kitakyushu City
1-1 Otemachi, Kokura-kita Ward, Kitalyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, 803-8501, JapanMr Toshihiko AoyagiChairman, JR Kyushu Railway Company
3-25-21 Hakata-ekimae, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka 812-8566, Japan