The Japanese government has decided to recommend to UNESCO that a group of primarily gold mines on Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture be registered as a World Cultural Heritage site.

The decision comes after opposition from South Korea because of its history.

Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said, "The Japanese government concluded that filing an application this year and starting discussions at an early date is a shortcut to realizing the registration. The government decided it will apply to UNESCO after receiving Cabinet approval on February 1."

The Sado complex of heritage mines, made up of 55 gold and silver mines, is located on the island in the Sea of Japan. The mines, which were operational between the 17th and 20th centuries, were the largest in Japan. Their gold output amounted to 78 tons and their silver output totaled 2,330 tons over a 400-year period since the beginning of the Edo era.

An advisory panel selected it as a candidate for the designation with the UN cultural agency.

But in a rare move, the panel said its decision was not final and the government should make the call.

The government and the ruling coalition parties had different opinions about it. Some agreed with the decision. But others expressed concern after South Korea objected. It said laborers from the Korean Peninsula were forced to work at the mines.

South Korea's foreign ministry issued a statement in response to the Japanese government's announcement. It expressed strong regret and called for the suspension of the plan. And its officials called Japanese ambassador in Seoul to protest face to face.