In 1992, Japan accepted the World Heritage Convention (Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage) that was adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO in 1972 (came into force in 1975). It was 1993 that the first inscription of Japanese properties on the World Heritage List: "Buddhist Monuments in the Horyuji Area" and "Himeji-jo" as cultural properties,and "Shirakami Sanchi" and "Yakushima" as natural properties. This was followed by other inscription of cultural properties: "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto" in 1994, "Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama" in 1995, Hiroshima Peace Memorial [Genbaku Dome]" and "Itsukushima Shinto Shrine" in 1996, "Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara" in 1998, "Shrines and Temples of Nikko" in 1999, Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu" in 2000, "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range" in 2004, "The Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and its Cultural Landscape" in 2007, "Hiraizumi Temples, Gardens and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure Land" in 2011, "Fujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspiration" in 2013, "Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites" in 2014, "Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal Mining" in 2015,and "Architectual Works of Le Colbusier"(including National Museum of Western Arts in Japan) in 2016.