In July 2017, which island of Japan was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list for its cultural and religious significance?

Introduction / Context:
UNESCO World Heritage Sites are locations of outstanding cultural or natural value to humanity. Japan has several such sites, and in July 2017 an important sacred island was added to this prestigious list. This question checks whether you know which Japanese island received World Heritage inscription at that time, an example of current affairs blending with world geography.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The year of inscription is July 2017.
• The site is an island belonging to Japan.
• The context is UNESCO World Heritage status for cultural and religious importance.
• Options include Okinoshima Island, Honshu, Kyushu, and Kamome Island.

Concept / Approach:
In 2017, UNESCO recognised the Sacred Island of Okinoshima and associated sites in the Munakata region as a World Heritage Site. Okinoshima Island is a small, highly sacred island in the Sea of Japan, long associated with ancient Shinto rituals and restricted access. Honshu and Kyushu are large main islands of Japan that were already home to several heritage sites but were not themselves newly inscribed in 2017 as single islands. Kamome Island is not the famous 2017 World Heritage addition. Therefore, the correct answer is Okinoshima Island.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the year 2017 and the phrase UNESCO World Heritage Site, which narrows the search to recently inscribed locations. Step 2: Recall that UNESCO added the Sacred Island of Okinoshima and related sites to the World Heritage List in July 2017. Step 3: Recognise that Okinoshima is known for ancient rituals and archaeological finds, and access to the island is strictly controlled. Step 4: Note that Honshu and Kyushu are large islands that already include several heritage sites, but they were not newly inscribed as single entities in that year. Step 5: Identify that Kamome Island is not associated with this 2017 inscription. Step 6: Conclude that the Japanese island added as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2017 is Okinoshima Island.

Verification / Alternative check:
If you recall news reports from 2017, they emphasised the sacred nature of Okinoshima, the long tradition of Shinto rituals there, and the fact that women are prohibited from visiting the island, with very limited male pilgrimages allowed. UNESCO recognised the outstanding universal value of this cultural tradition. No such news was associated with Honshu or Kyushu as whole islands receiving new World Heritage status at that time, which confirms that Okinoshima Island is the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Honshu: It is Japan largest island and already contains several World Heritage Sites, but it was not itself newly inscribed in July 2017.
• Kyushu: Another major island of Japan, but not the specific island recognised that year under this description.
• Kamome Island: Not the island that received UNESCO World Heritage recognition in July 2017.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may quickly choose Honshu or Kyushu simply because these names are more familiar, without linking the question to the specific 2017 UNESCO decision. Another error is to overlook smaller but culturally important islands like Okinoshima. To avoid such mistakes, pay attention to the year and the phrase sacred island when revising, and associate Okinoshima with the 2017 World Heritage inscription.

Final Answer:
The island of Japan added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in July 2017 was Okinoshima Island.