Japan’s traditional calligraphy, known as shodo, is now being considered for UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Understanding the steps it must follow helps explain how cultural practices gain worldwide recognition.

UNESCO’s evaluation body has recommended shodo for inscription, Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs reported. The recommendation is the first official step toward UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

The next step is a vote by UNESCO’s intergovernmental committee. The committee will meet in Xiamen, China, from Nov. 30 to Dec. 5 to decide whether to add shodo to the list. This meeting is the final checkpoint before inscription.

Japan first submitted the shodo nomination in March 2024. Because Japan’s nominations are examined only once every two years, the 2025 round did not review the application, so the government had to resubmit it. The resubmission keeps the process moving forward.

If the committee approves the recommendation, shodo will become Japan’s 24th item on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. This outcome would illustrate the complete two‑stage process: recommendation followed by committee decision.