Only Focused on Dokdo... Japanese Media Corrects Google Map Labeling Jukdo as Dokdo

Sankei Report "User Seems to Have Confused Jukdo and Dokdo"

In Google Maps, the English name of Jukdo near Ulleungdo was mistakenly labeled as 'Dokdo' instead of 'Jukdo,' prompting Japanese media to request a correction. The Sankei Shimbun reported on the 20th that Jukdo, an island located 2 km east of Ulleungdo, was labeled as 'Dokdo' until around noon that day, but after that, the name was corrected to 'Jukdo.' Searching for 'Dokdo' shows Dokdo, located 87 km southeast of Ulleungdo.

The preview event held in 2022 at the Dokdo Experience Center of the Northeast Asia Foundation in Times Square, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
[Photo by Asia Economy DB]

Sankei stated, "Google Maps allows users to suggest edits to information about shops and places," and speculated that a Korean online user confused Jukdo with Takeshima (竹島, the name Japan claims for Dokdo) and overlaid incorrect information.

They added, "As of 3 p.m. on the 19th, Jukdo was labeled as 'Dokdo' and 'Ecology Park' (a nature park)," and reported that clicking on Jukdo on the map at that time showed a composite photo of Dokdo. Furthermore, when clicking on Jukdo, in the 'Questions and Answers' section on the left side of the map, there was a statement saying, 'Dokdo is Korean territory. It is not Takeshima. It is Dokdo.'

Sankei explained that such incorrect information remained in place until the morning of that day.

Northeast Asian History Foundation Dokdo Experience Center
Photo by Yonhap News

Previously, in 2012, when the Japanese government found that Dokdo was labeled as part of Ulleung County on Google Maps, it sent a response letter to Google stating, "This could cause misunderstanding that Takeshima is Korean territory, so it is unacceptable from our country's standpoint." Subsequently, Google removed the Korean address that had been displayed on Dokdo.

Meanwhile, Shimane Prefecture in Japan is approaching 'Takeshima Day,' which is four days away. Takeshima Day commemorates the day in February 1905 during the Japanese Empire period when Takeshima was incorporated into Shimane Prefecture's administrative district. Shimane Prefecture enacted the Takeshima Day ordinance in 2005 and has held commemorative events every year on February 22 since 2006.