"Takeshima Curry" Appears Again: "Do They Really Think Dokdo Will Become Japanese Territory Because of This?"

Released ahead of Takeshima Day on the 22nd
"Aimed at instilling the idea of 'national territory' in officials and residents"

'Takeshima Curry' being sold at the basement cafeteria of the Shimane Prefectural Office in Japan. Professor Seo Kyoungduk's Facebook

As Japan's Takeshima Day event on February 22 approaches, controversy is brewing over reports that "Takeshima Curry" is being sold at the basement cafeteria of the Shimane Prefectural Office.

On the 19th, Professor Seo Kyoungduk of Sungshin Women's University revealed this through his social networking service (SNS). Professor Seo said he received a tip from a local traveler, who reported that the basement cafeteria of the Shimane Prefectural Office in Japan would be selling "Takeshima Curry" over a two-day period, today and tomorrow.

In the photo released by Professor Seo, curry is served on the bottom of a plate, with two portions of rice placed on top. They appear to represent the East Islet and West Islet of Dokdo, and on the rice there is a flag bearing the characters for "Takeshima" (written as "Jukdo" in Chinese characters, 竹島), symbolizing Japan's name for the islets.

Professor Seo interpreted the repeated appearance of "Takeshima Curry" in Shimane Prefecture over the past several years as a kind of strategy aimed at instilling in local public officials and residents the perception that Dokdo is Japanese territory.

He criticized, "Doing this will not make Dokdo become Japanese land. It is truly foolish," and added, "If Japan truly wants a genuine Korea-Japan relationship, it should start by abolishing the Takeshima Day event. I urge the Japanese government and Shimane Prefecture to at least now adopt a correct view of history and act in ways that will not shame the next generation."

Takeshima Day is a commemorative day approved by the Shimane Prefectural Assembly on March 16, 2005. It was adopted to mark the February 22, 1905 public notice that incorporated Dokdo into Japan's Shimane Prefecture, and civic groups in Korea dedicated to defending Dokdo have repeatedly visited the Shimane Prefectural Office to protest, leading to multiple clashes.