Why in news?
In February 2026, Japan held its annual "Takeshima Day" event in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, commemorating Japan's 1905 incorporation of the Takeshima islands (known as Dokdo in South Korea).
South Korea’s Reaction
- Strong Protest: Seoul’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the event, calling it an “unjust assertion of sovereignty” and demanded the immediate abolition of Takeshima Day.
- Dokdo Claim: South Korea emphasized that Dokdo is its inherent territory “historically, geographically, and under international law.”
- Diplomatic Tension: The protest reflects the long-standing dispute rooted in Japan’s colonial rule of Korea (1910–1945).
About Takeshima Islands
The Takeshima Islands are a small group of rocky islets in the Sea of Japan (East Sea in Korean usage). They are at the center of a long-standing territorial dispute between Japan and South Korea.
Geographic and Location
- Composition: Two main volcanic islets (East Islet/Dongdo and West Islet/Seodo) plus 30–90 smaller rocks and reefs.
- Area: About 18.7 hectares (46 acres).
- Location: Roughly equidistant between Korea and Japan, but closer to South Korea’s Ulleungdo (87 km) than to Japan’s Oki Islands (157 km).
- Coordinates: 37°14′30″N, 131°52′00″E.
Administration & Claims
- Currently administered by: South Korea, as part of Ulleung County, North Gyeongsang Province.
- Claimed by: Japan, as part of Okinoshima, Shimane Prefecture.
- Population: Around 20–30 South Korean residents, including coast guard personnel and lighthouse staff.
Historical Context
- 1905: Japan formally incorporated Takeshima during its expansionist period, just before annexing Korea in 1910.
- Post-WWII: South Korea asserted sovereignty, stationing police and administrative presence on the islands.
- Dispute: Both nations cite historical documents to support their claims. South Korea emphasizes continuous use and proximity, while Japan stresses its 1905 incorporation.
Strategic & Symbolic Importance
- Fishing Rights: Rich surrounding waters with valuable fisheries.
- Resources: Potential natural gas reserves in nearby seabed.
- National Identity: For South Korea, Dokdo symbolizes resistance to Japanese colonialism; for Japan, Takeshima represents territorial integrity.
Alternative Names
- Dokdo: “Solitary islands” in Korean.
- Takeshima: “Bamboo islands” in Japanese.
- Liancourt Rocks: Named after a French whaling ship in 1849.
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