"Dokdo on Sake Cups and Even T-Shirts"... Japanese Oki Island Sparks Controversy Over Takeshima Merchandise

Oki Island Holds Rallies Asserting Territorial Claims Over Dokdo
Selling Plates, Badges, and T-Shirts

Goods related to Dokdo sold on Oki Island, Japan. Photo by Seokyeongdeok Facebook

It has been reported that souvenirs labeling Dokdo as Japanese territory are being sold on Oki Island in Shimane Prefecture, Japan.

On January 20, Professor Seo Kyungduk of Sungshin Women's University stated on his social media, "Last weekend, as part of the 'Korea History Tour' conducted together with the Travel Technology Research Institute, I visited Shimane Prefecture in Japan with 25 citizens."

After inspecting the site of Dokdo distortion at the 'Takeshima Reference Room' in the Shimane Prefectural Government building, Professor Seo said, "We visited Oki Island, which serves as a forward base for Japan's ambitions to seize Dokdo." Oki Island held a rally in 2024 asserting territorial claims over Dokdo, and has installed billboards related to Dokdo throughout the island, persistently spreading false propaganda as if Korea is illegally occupying the islets.

Goods related to Dokdo sold on Oki Island, Japan. Professor Seo Kyungduk

According to Professor Seo, Oki Island opened the 'Gumi Takeshima History Museum' in 2016, where it has held exhibitions and collected testimonies and materials from residents to support Japan's territorial claims over Dokdo. Now, the island is selling a variety of goods such as Dokdo-themed T-shirts and badges.

In particular, shops inside the Oki Island passenger terminal, which is frequented by tourists, openly sell sake cups labeled with Dokdo. Professor Seo criticized, "In the past, the Japanese minister in charge of territorial affairs made controversial remarks on Oki Island, and during the Tokyo Olympics, the torch relay route included Oki Island. Japan has persistently promoted its territorial claims over Dokdo through Oki Island."

He further pointed out, "Now, by selling various Dokdo-related goods, they are instilling the perception among ordinary tourists that Dokdo is Japanese territory. No matter how much they do this, Dokdo will never become Japanese land. Although this is truly absurd, we must develop more concrete counterstrategies to confront Japan's persistent campaign to claim Dokdo."