Japan wants UNESCO to add several places linked with its historic persecution of Christians to its list of World Heritage sites.

Kyodo News reports that the proposal will be submitted on 1 February and that inspections of the sites would then take place in the summer of 2018.

Martin Scorsese’s new film, Silence, has reminded the world of the sufferings endured by Christians in Japan in the 17th century.

Amongst the sites Japan wants to be recognised are Oura Church in Nagasaki and the village of Sakitsu.