Abstract
This paper discusses the implications of the World Natural Heritage of Amami Oshima according to the relationship between the regions by tracing various efforts to register World Natural Heritage on Amami Oshima. The World Natural Heritage registration movement of Amami specifically aims at achieving three objectives; revitalization of the islands, promotion of tourism, and extension of the Act on Special Measures for the Amami Islands Promotion and Development. But the essence is to make the mainland Japan recognized the existence of Amami. The regional egoism which is incompatible with the philosophy of the World Heritage became the driving force of the movements. Therefore, the outstanding universal value which UNESCO presents, was not properly understood, and the concept stayed at "acceptance of words". Amami adopts strategy to turn conscious of the mainland Japan back to Amami by linking with the authority surpassing the nation. The World Natural Heritage served as a tool for letting Japan recognize Amami.
