The Issue of Takeshima
POSITION OF JAPAN ON TAKESHIMA
On August 10, 2012, President Lee of the Republic of Korea (ROK) illegally set foot on Takeshima, over which a territorial dispute exists between Japan and the ROK. The position of Japan is that we should settle the dispute in a calm, fair and peaceful way based on international law.
Therefore on August 21, Japan officially presented the ROK with a diplomatic proposal to institute proceedings before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). However, on August 30, the Government of the ROK replied by a note verbale that it did not accept our proposal. This is not the first time the ROK didn’t accept our proposal for the referral of the case to the ICJ. Similar proposals in 1954 and 1962 have also been rejected by the ROK. This indicates that the ROK doesn’t have confidence in the sovereignty of Takeshima.
The ROK is an important member of the global community and supports the rule of law throughout international society. The ROK has also been positioning itself under the catch phrase of “Global Korea.” In this respect the recent reply from the ROK which did not indicate any specific counter proposal to settle the Takeshima issue is extremely disappointing.
Japan believes that the best way to deal with an international dispute is to settle it in light of “law and justice” of the international community. The Government of Japan will continue to strenuously make the case to the ROK that settling this dispute based on international law stands to reason.
Japan has made efforts recently in establishing a forward-looking relationship with the ROK at a variety of levels. Japan hopes that the ROK will sincerely respond to Japan’s good faith of neighborly friendship.
BACKGROUND
Takeshima is a group of islands that is situated on the Sea of Japan. In light of the historical facts and based upon international law, Takeshima is an integral and inherent part of Japanese territory. There exists a territorial dispute over Takeshima with the Republic of Korea (ROK), but the position of Japan is that we should settle the territorial dispute in a calm, fair and peaceful way based on international law
Japan established the sovereignty over the island by the mid 17th century at the latest. Later, we incorporated Takeshima into Shimane Prefecture by a Cabinet decision in 1905, reaffirming Japan's intention to claim the sovereignty.
The ROK side insists that it had established its effective control over Takeshima before Japan, but the wording of the documents the ROK refers to is ambiguous, and the ROK has no unequivocal proof that supports its argument.
After World War II, in the process of drafting the San Francisco Peace Treaty, the ROK requested that Japan renounce Takeshima, but the U.S. rejected the request. Notwithstanding these circumstances, after the War, the ROK unilaterally installed illegal "Syngman Rhee Line", and began illegally occupying Takeshima by force.
For more information:
Prime Minister Noda’s Statement regarding Takeshima on Augst 24, 2012 is available hereThe Issue of Takeshima (from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Website)
If any member of the accredited press is interested in discussing this issue, or has any enquiries, please contact info@eu.mofa.go.jp
|
|
