Japanese Calligraphy Set to Join UNESCO List

UNESCO's evaluation body has recommended adding Japanese calligraphy to its Intangible Cultural Heritage list, which would make it Japan's 24th entry.

The recommendation was issued on November 5 (Japan time). The UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee will review it at a meeting in Xiamen, China, starting November 30, with a formal decision expected in early December. Japan first applied in 2024, the examination was postponed, and the application was resubmitted in 2025.

The entry would follow traditional sake brewing, added in 2024, and would join Kabuki, Noh and washoku among Japan's 23 current entries. The roundup also covers several other stories from Japan, including a strong Typhoon No. 31 (In-fa) that is forecast to bring powerful waves to eastern and northern coasts while moving away from the country.

Opposition lawmakers are pressing the government to clarify who qualifies for a new financial support program and how much they will receive. The program is part of legislation to cut the consumption tax on food and introduce payments for low- and middle-income earners, now in its final stages in the House of Representatives. Elsewhere, a smartphone fire at Narita Airport's Terminal 1 was extinguished within about 30 minutes, with no injuries reported.

Key points

• Recommendation for UNESCO registration issued November 5; committee decision expected early December.
• Calligraphy would be Japan's 24th Intangible Cultural Heritage entry and its first since 2024.
• Government first submitted the application in 2024, then resubmitted it in 2025.
• Strong Typhoon No. 31 (In-fa) is expected to bring powerful waves to eastern and northern Japan.
• Over 70% of Japanese children spend less than an hour reading a week, a nationwide survey found.
• In France, days of protests over living costs and public services have included violence and looting.