"Dokdo Is Japanese Territory": Shimane Prefecture Requests Cabinet Minister's Attendance at "Takeshima Day" After New Prime Minister Takes Office

Shimane Prefecture Designates February 22 as "Takeshima Day"
In South Korea, October 25 Is Marked as "Dokdo Day"

As Shimane Prefecture in Japan has requested the attendance of a cabinet minister at next year's "Takeshima Day" event (Takeshima is the name Japan uses to refer to Dokdo), attention is focused on what decision the newly inaugurated far-right Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will make. On the 4th, Yonhap News, citing Kyodo News, reported that Tatsuya Maruyama, Governor of Shimane Prefecture, met with Jiro Akama, Minister in charge of Territorial Issues, at the Cabinet Office and requested his attendance at next year's Takeshima Day event.

Shimane Prefecture unilaterally incorporated Dokdo into its administrative district on February 22, 1905, and has designated February 22, 2005, as Takeshima Day, holding events annually. The Asia Business Daily

Governor Maruyama also handed Minister Akama a document demanding that the government respond resolutely, claiming that South Korea is illegally occupying Dokdo. The Shimane Prefecture side also urged the government to officially establish "Takeshima Day" through a Cabinet decision and to host the event as soon as possible. In response to Shimane Prefecture's request, Minister Akama stated, "Since the request document has arrived, I would like to review it."

Previously, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, during a debate in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party leadership election on September 27, said, "Wouldn't it be good for a minister to attend Takeshima Day with confidence?" She added, "There is no need to be overly cautious about it," and "I believe everyone should recognize that (Dokdo) is Japanese territory." Since 2013, the Japanese government has sent a vice-minister-level parliamentary secretary to Takeshima Day for 13 consecutive years. A cabinet minister holds a higher rank than a parliamentary secretary.

Regarding this request, Kyodo News analyzed that "Prime Minister Takaichi's response is expected to draw attention." Meanwhile, Japan recently considered supporting the refueling of South Korea's Air Force special flight team "Black Eagles," but after confirming that some Black Eagles aircraft flew over Dokdo, Japan conveyed its protest and canceled the plan. Shimane Prefecture unilaterally incorporated Dokdo into its administrative district on February 22, 1905, and since 2005, has designated February 22 as Takeshima Day, holding events annually.

Meanwhile, in South Korea, October 25 is designated as Dokdo Day and is commemorated every year. Dokdo Day was established to mark Emperor Gojong's proclamation of Imperial Decree No. 41 on October 25, 1900, which specified Dokdo as an affiliated island of Ulleungdo. On this year's Dokdo Day, the Democratic Party of Korea and the People Power Party stated, "Japan must stop distorting the history of Dokdo," and declared, "We will engage in bipartisan cooperation to defend Dokdo."