Mt. Fuji is a symbol of Japan. It has been revered as a sacred site and depicted over the centuries in countless poems, paintings, and ukiyo-e prints seeking to capture the mountain's lush natural setting and the beautiful views it offers in each of the four seasons. At the base of Mt. Fuji are remnants of the historical legacy of ancestors who once lived there. The culture forged by human hands has become a part of people's memory, steadily built up over time as it is passed down from one generation to the next. Elsewhere in the world there are mountains taller than Mt. Fuji, or perhaps even more perfectly shaped, but it seems unlikely that any can match it as a national symbol with a home in people's hearts. As a mountain that has become both an object of worship and a wellspring of art, Mt. Fuji is truly one of a kind. Designated as one of Japan's Special Places of Scenic Beauty, Mt. Fuji offers more than just breathtaking natural vistas: it has emerged as a part of the cultural landscape through the interplay between human beings and their natural environment. We share the hope that this natural wonder can be recognized as one of the world's common treasures as a way of preserving it for future generations. Our aim is for Mt. Fuji to be designated as a World Cultural Heritage site in 2013.