NEWSONJAPAN
 
Three types of Japanese-style paper, or "washi," are to be added to UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage.
 
"Sekishu-Banshi" of Shimane Prefecture, "Hon-minoshi" of Gifu Prefecture and "Hosokawa-shi" of Saitama Prefecture are all handmade from paper mulberry fibers.
 
"Sekishu-Banshi" was registered in 2009. But the Japanese government nominated the 3 types of washi as a set last year to popularize Japan's traditional papermaking techniques.
 
A UNESCO body tasked with screening nominees made the recommendation on Monday. The registration will be made official next month at an intergovernmental committee meeting in Paris.