Japan unhappy with UNESCO, as it would like the world to forget

Many parts of Japan are happy with the news that a preliminary review panel of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has recommended that 33 traditional Japanese festivals be registered as part of the world's intangible cultural heritage.

UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee is expected to make the final decision later this month.

The expected registration of the festivals, most of which date back to the Edo Period (1603-1868), will bring the total number of Japanese items included in UNESCO's lists of intangible cultural heritage to 21.