Governor of Shimane Prefecture Urges Central Government to "Strongly Respond to Dokdo Issue"

On the afternoon of April 26, calligrapher Kim Dong-wook is performing a performance art by writing the phrase "Protect Dokdo" with a rake at Yeongildae Beach in Pohang, Gyeongbuk. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Jiwon] Maruyama Tatsuya, Governor of Shimane Prefecture, Japan, met with Eto Seiichi, Japan's Minister in charge of Territorial Issues, at the Cabinet Office on the 6th and delivered a request urging "the Japanese central government to respond strongly to Dokdo."

According to Kyodo News on the same day, the request included a call for new diplomatic efforts, including filing a case with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to establish Japan's sovereignty over Dokdo.

Additionally, it demanded that the "Takeshima Day" event, held annually in February by Shimane Prefecture at the local government level, be elevated to an official Japanese government event.

The request also included a claim that the Dokdo issue should be addressed in school education.

Minister Eto expressed the Japanese government's intention to take active measures, stating that "visitors are feeling the historical facts," according to Kyodo News.

However, since the Korean government does not recognize the ICJ's compulsory jurisdiction, even if Japan unilaterally files a case claiming Dokdo as its territory, the trial is unlikely to be established.