In the LDP Leadership Race, Remarks Claiming "Dokdo is Japanese Territory" Emerge

"Resolute Response to Takeshima" Statement Also

Candidates running in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership election to choose the successor to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida have been making consecutive statements asserting Japan's sovereignty over Dokdo.

At a joint local campaign speech held by the LDP on the 20th in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, among the nine candidates, former Minister in charge of Economic Security Takayuki Kobayashi stated, “We will respond resolutely to issues concerning the fishing order in the waters surrounding Takeshima (the name Japan uses for Dokdo).”

While emphasizing cooperation with the United States and South Korea to strengthen defense capabilities, he drew a clear line by saying, “That is a separate issue from the country’s sovereignty, territory, and territorial waters.”

Takayuki Kobayashi, former Japanese Minister in charge of Economic Security

Another candidate, Toshimitsu Motegi, the current LDP Secretary-General in the prefecture, also said, “Shimane Prefecture holds the remote island called Takeshima,” adding, “It is a region facing an issue that Japan must cherish.” He further stated, “We will protect Japan’s territory, territorial waters, and airspace.”

Both candidates made these remarks without being asked questions related to Dokdo. The other seven candidates did not make any special mention of sovereignty over Dokdo.

It is analyzed that these statements emerged because Shimane Prefecture, where the speech was held, administratively has jurisdiction over Dokdo according to the Japanese government, and local residents such as fishermen have a high level of interest in the matter.

Since Shimane Prefecture enacted the “Ordinance to Establish Takeshima Day” in 2005, it has held Takeshima Day events every year on February 22 starting from 2006.