Japan Rejects Request for Government Official to Attend 'Takeshima Day' Event

Tensions between South Korea and Japan are rising again as Shimane Prefecture in Japan has requested a government minister attend the 'Takeshima Day' event. The Japanese government has yet to express a clear position, raising the possibility that past remarks by the Japanese Prime Minister will be re-examined, amplifying the controversy.

On November 4th, Shimane Prefecture formally requested that Akama Jiro, the Minister in charge of Territorial Issues, attend the 'Takeshima Day' event, increasing pressure on the South Korean government. Governor Tatsuya Maruyama of Shimane Prefecture reportedly handed the request documents directly to Minister Akama Jiro, repeating the existing claim that South Korea is illegally occupying Dokdo.

Governor Maruyama argued that the Japanese government should respond more actively to the Dokdo issue and emphasized that the 'Takeshima Day' event should be elevated to a government-sponsored event. He criticized the Japanese government's passive attitude for making it difficult to resolve the issue, and urged the government to show a strong will at the governmental level.

Since 2005, Shimane Prefecture has designated February 22nd as 'Takeshima Day' and has been holding events to strengthen its claim to Dokdo. This event has caused strong backlash from the South Korean government and people, and has continued to act as a major source of conflict in South Korea-Japan relations.

In particular, with the official request for the attendance of a Japanese government minister this year, a stronger backlash from the South Korean government is expected. The South Korean government regards this move by Japan as an act of repeating provocations without genuine reflection on past issues, and has foreshadowed a strong response.

Akama Jiro, the Minister in charge of Territorial Issues, stated a general position on Shimane Prefecture's request, saying, "The request document has arrived, so I will carefully review the contents." However, so far, the Japanese government has not provided a concrete answer to Shimane Prefecture's request and is maintaining a cautious attitude.

It is analyzed that the Japanese government's avoidance of an immediate response is due to a comprehensive consideration of diplomatic relations with South Korea and its image in the international community. The Japanese government appears to be carefully reviewing the diplomatic repercussions that would occur if it dispatched a minister to the 'Takeshima Day' event.

In this situation, past remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi are receiving renewed attention. In a debate on September 27th, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said, "Wouldn't it be good if a minister could confidently attend Takeshima Day?"

This statement, which did not receive much attention at the time, is now being analyzed as a signal of the Japanese government's hard-line stance in connection with Shimane Prefecture's request for ministerial attendance. Some have raised suspicions that Prime Minister Takaichi's past remarks were made with the tacit consent of the Japanese government.

If the Japanese government accepts Shimane Prefecture's request and dispatches a minister to the 'Takeshima Day' event, it is widely expected that South Korea-Japan relations will further deteriorate. The South Korean government has repeatedly stated that it will respond strongly to such a move by Japan.

Through a spokesperson's statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated that "Dokdo is clearly South Korean territory historically, geographically, and under international law," and urged the Japanese government to "develop South Korea-Japan relations based on a correct understanding of the past and genuine reflection."

The government also plans to summon the Japanese ambassador to South Korea to strongly protest the Japanese government's position on the 'Takeshima Day' event and urge prevention of recurrence. At the same time, it plans to inform the international community of Japan's unjust claim to sovereignty and strengthen diplomatic efforts to firmly defend South Korea's sovereignty over Dokdo.

Meanwhile, Shimane Prefecture is continuously spreading Japan's claim to sovereignty over Dokdo through the 'Takeshima Day' event. They are being criticized for instilling a false historical perception in the Japanese public through various activities such as exhibitions of Dokdo-related materials, academic symposiums, and the production of Dokdo educational materials.

Experts point out that the Japanese government's attitude of not drawing a clear line on Shimane Prefecture's 'Takeshima Day' event and condoning it is rather acting as a factor that worsens South Korea-Japan relations. It is the common opinion of experts that the Japanese government must show a responsible attitude toward the Dokdo issue, along with genuine reflection on the past.

The Japanese government's final decision on Shimane Prefecture's request for ministerial attendance has not yet been made. Depending on what choice the Japanese government makes, South Korea-Japan relations are likely to be at a critical crossroads in the future.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it will continue to resolutely respond to Japan's provocations related to Dokdo and firmly protect South Korea's sovereignty over Dokdo. It also urged the Japanese government to engage in constructive dialogue based on a correct understanding of history for the future-oriented development of South Korea-Japan relations.

The Japanese government is expected to announce the results of its review of this request soon.