Japan’s Shimane Prefecture(?) held its 19th ‘Takeshima Day’ event, claiming sovereignty over Dokdo. Takeshima (竹島) is a name that Japan unilaterally refers to Dokdo.
According to Kyodo News, a commemorative event was held in Matsue City on the 22nd (local time) with about 500 people in attendance, including Governor Tatsuya Maruyama and Cabinet Office Secretary for Political Affairs Shojiro Hiranuma.
This is the 12th consecutive year that a political officer has attended the event. In Japan, the Minister of Political Affairs is one of the ‘three positions of political affairs’ along with the Minister and Deputy Minister, and is equivalent to the level of Vice Minister. He said at the event, “The Takeshima (Dokdo) issue is an extremely important issue related to the foundation of our country (Japan), including territory and sovereignty. “We will clearly communicate Japan’s position to Korea and respond patiently,” he said. “We will keep the hearts of Shimane Prefecture residents in mind and further strengthen the transmission of information.”
Governor Maruyama previously argued that the government, not the prefecture, should host the event, just like the Northern Territory Commemoration Ceremony, saying, “The government should host the event with the Prime Minister in attendance.” He also said on the day of the event, “At the venue of diplomatic negotiations, Takeshima (Dokdo) ) He did not hesitate to make a strong statement, saying, “I strongly hope that the issue will be discussed.”
According to the San’in Chuo Shinbo, he said that the South Korean government is “strengthening its moves to make the illegal occupation a fait accompli” and that “it is very regrettable that the Japanese government is demanding a cool and peaceful solution in accordance with international law.”
He went on to say that for dialogue with Korea, it is necessary to gain understanding and support from the international community, and that we must explain and deliver information to the international community more carefully than we do now.
BSS reported that “groups calling for an early resolution of the Dokdo issue came from all over the country, and a large number of police officers were mobilized to prevent chaos” around the event venue on this day. As the level of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) was lowered under the Infectious Disease Act, the general public was able to participate in the event, and it seems that people flocked to the event.
Meanwhile, the Japanese government forcibly incorporated Korean Dokdo into Shimane Prefecture through a cabinet decision in January 1905. Shimane Prefecture notified Dokdo’s incorporation on February 22 of the same year, and designated the incorporation date as ‘Takeshima Day’ starting in 2005.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.