TEMPO.CO, Tokyo - After ten years in waiting, Mount Fuji is finally officially listed as one of UNESCO's World Natural Heritage. In a meeting in Cambodia, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee decided to inscribe the 3,766-meter volcano in the prestigious list.

The inscription was approved by the 21-member panel of the UN's Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization during its 37th session in Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh. Mount Fuji becomes Japan's 17th site to make the list.

Isao Kiso, Japan's delegate to UNESCO, said he was delighted that "this sacred and beautiful cultural property has been recognized and acknowledged by the World Heritage Committee."

In 2003, the Japanese government first tried to register Mount Fuji as World Heritage. But at that time their efforts was by the illegal dumping of garbage and the fact that the peak lacks global uniqueness as a volcanic mountain.

Shizuoka Gov. Heita Kawakatsu, who also attended, said the inscription "is not the end but only the beginning." He said the people of Japan “shall proudly safeguard and pass the legacy of Fuji-san on to future generations."

JAPAN TIMES | ANDI PERDANA