The territorial disputes over Takeshima, or Dokdo as it is referred to in Korean, have been a long standing source of conflict between the Japanese and South Korean governments. Known in English as the Liancourt Rocks, it comprises two main islets and a series of thirty five smaller rocks which lie in the middle of excellent fishing stocks and supposedly large deposits of natural gas.
The question of whether Japan or Korea should have sovereignty to the islets is a consequence of the intertwined histories of the two nations during the early twentieth century, when Korea was made a Japanese colony between 1910 and 1945.
While today the Japanese government classifies the islets as part of Shimane prefecture, the South Korean administration classifies them as North Gyeongsang province on the south-eastern coast of Korea.
Here, Japanese netizens give their reactions to the government’s recent decision to postpone bringing the dispute to the International Court of Justice.
From 47 News:
Government Postpones International Lawsuit, ‘Signs of Repair’ with Korea Over the Takeshima Issue.
In relation to the issue of Korean territorial rights of Takeshima, in Shimane prefecture, on October 26, the Japanese government adjusted its approach, postponing submission of its independent lawsuit to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). In August, South Korean president Lee Myung-bak went ashore at Takeshima, and at first the Japanese government aimed to bring their case to the ICJ in mid-October. However, following this Japan modified its course, and according to government officials, ‘signs of improved relations’ are deemed to have appeared, such as a conference between the Japanese and South Korean foreign ministers.
Given the deepening of the rift with China over the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa prefecture, it seems that the government decided that ‘operations on two fronts’ [China and Korea], which might make Japan’s stance towards South Korea more militant, were inadvisable.
A senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that ‘the intention to bring an independent lawsuit to the ICJ remains unchanged. We are waiting for the most effective time [to submit the lawsuit]’.
Comments from Itai News:
Posted by :[blank indicates comment left anonymously]
So that means Japan has given in to Korea. It’s still not too late, so why don’t we just get on our knees and apologise to Korea [for the war]?
Posted by :
The greatest enemy in this issue is not Korea, it’s the politicians and government bureaucrats of Japan.
Posted by :
I wish the Democratic Party of Japan would just disappear, all their political actions are for Korea’s benefit. Make the details of the Takeshima issue, the economic trial, and the Korean-Chinese treaty public immediately!
Posted by _ :
If they’re not doing it now [bringing the lawsuit] then when are they gonna do it? You just going to keep extending it and extending it? What the hell value is there in a political party who can’t even protect the territory of their own country?
Posted by :
Politics moves through money. Doesn’t matter if it’s through won or yuan, it still moves.
Posted by ぬこ :
I wish the Democratic Party would disappear.
Posted by :
Just what I expected from the Democratic Party.
Posted by :
I’m not particularly surprised. I’d be more shocked if they actually did it w
Posted by :
If it’s not advisable to have operations on two fronts, then that means that they’re putting all their efforts into Senkaku, right? If not, then it’s unforgivable.
Posted by :
If you can’t be bothered [to bring the lawsuit], don’t admit it publicly! This is why the government isn’t trusted.
Posted by 名無しさん :
Just the other day a group of Diet members went ashore…I just don’t understand in what way things have improved.
Posted by :
Whether it’s the Democratic party or the Liberal Democratic Party, they deal with it in the same way. Our friend Abe [former Prime Minister of Japan] was also pro-Korea w No matter which you choose, they’re just doing America’s bidding anyway.
Posted by あ :
In order to save the world from the sense of stagnation that’s all around, we definitely need a third world war. And if that’s not possible, then the world’s only going to rot slowly.
Posted by :
If you look 30 years down the line, it’s better to get out of Japan and take another nationality. This country is already over.
Posted by :
I guess it’s only a question of time until the Emperor is presented to Korea by the Democratic party in order to apologise [for the war].
Posted by か :
Democratic Party: ‘Woof woof! I protected my master again! Woof woof!!’
Posted by 田中 :
It’s too much bother so just leave it. We don’t need a useless island.
Posted by あ :
At any rate the Democratic Party is going to fail epically at the next election, so before that they’re doing their best for the chinks and the gooks 笑
Posted by :
I’m dubious whether those in the government have any Japanese blood.
What do you think?
