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“Takeshima Day” commemorative ceremony

February 22, 2015

“Takeshima Day” commemorative ceremony

2015 is the 62nd year that Korea has illegally occupied Takeshima (Okinoshima, Shimane Prefecture), an inherent territory of Japan. The "Takeshima Day" commemorative ceremony held in Matsue on February 22 featured Party Organization and Campaign Headquarters Chairperson Kazunori Tanaka, who represented the Party and vowed, "All of Japan will work for the return of Takeshima, and the LDP will stand at the head of this movement." During public speeches after the ceremony, Diet members from the Party likewise expressed their commitment to seek a resolution to the problem.

"Takeshima Day" was established by an ordinance of the Shimane legislature in 2005 to commemorate the centennial of the Shimane Prefectural Notice of February 22, 1905 incorporating the island into the prefecture. The day is meant to encourage the early establishment of territorial rights over Takeshima, and it is celebrated by the prefecture each year with a ceremony to draw public attention to the issue.

“Takeshima Day” commemorative ceremony

This year marks the 10th ceremony. In attendance from Party Headquarters were Chairperson Tanaka, Youth Division Director Minoru Kihara, Acting Director Yusuke Nakanishi, and Deputy Director Toshinao Nakagawa. Executive Acting Secretary-General Hiroyuki Hosoda and member of the House of Councillors Saburou Shimada represented the local community, and members of the House of Representatives Yoshitaka Shindo, Hideo Onishi and Kenji Yamada were also present. This was again the largest delegation sent by any party. The government sent Parliamentary Vice-Minister of the Cabinet Office Yohei Matsumoto.

During the ceremony, Chairperson Tanaka criticized the unilateral establishment of the Syngman Rhee Line, and expressed strong indignation at the continued, illegal occupation of Takeshima. He went on to say, "There is only one history. Since the end of war, Japan has continued to be tolerant of the many historical views asserted by South Korea, but this we cannot ignore. South Korea should listen to the objective assessments of third parties." He advocates a referral of the issue to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, the Netherlands.

He also praised the increase in the international communications budget in the initial budget draft for FY2015, and the statements on Takeshima in new social studies textbooks that will be used at elementary schools from the academic year starting April under guidance from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. "We will join hands with the people. All of Japan will work for the return of Takeshima, and the LDP will stand at the head of this movement," he said, vowing to do everything possible to resolve the issue.

As is customary, the Party held public speeches after the ceremony. Executive Acting Secretary-General Hosoda highlighted the significance of the attendance of a government representative for the last three years, and the Tokyo meeting that indicates the growing movement among the people for an early resolution to the dispute. "The people of Shimane Prefecture earnestly desire the return of Takeshima. The path to this goal will be steep, but we will work together, doing everything possible to achieve it," he vowed.

This marks the 62nd year of the illegal occupation of Takeshima by Korea. During this time, the government of Japan has sought peaceful resolution according to "legal and historical facts," but Korea has continued the illegal occupation, and even constructed a lighthouse and heliport and stationed security forces there. It also has plans to build a General Marine Science Research Station in an attempt to assert effective control.

After assuming his post in December 2012, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has repeatedly called for summits and has worked tirelessly to resolve Takeshima and other territorial issues (see table below). The Party fully supports the stance of Prime Minister Abe and will continue to encourage a public movement on these issues.

Party Organization and Campaign Headquarters Chairperson Kazunori Tanaka, representing the Party, said, "I feel a renewed sense of indignation."

During public speeches after the ceremony, Executive Acting Secretary-General Hiroyuki Hosoda said, "The path to this goal will be steep, but we will work together, doing everything possible to achieve it."

Government initiatives to date

[2012]

December
Establishment of a new Minister in Charge of Territorial Integrity

[2013]

February
Establishment of an "Office of Policy Planning and Coordination on Territory Sovereignty" in the Cabinet Secretariat
Attendance of Parliamentary Vice-Minister of the Cabinet Office Aiko Shimajiri at the "Takeshima Day" commemorative ceremony
April
Establishment of the "Advisory Panel on Communications Concerning Territorial Integrity"

[2014]

January
Announcement by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of guidelines for textbooks to clearly state that Takeshima and Senkaku Islands are "inherent territory of Japan"
February
Attendance of Parliamentary Vice-Minister of the Cabinet Office Yoshitami Kameoka at the "Takeshima Day" commemorative ceremony
June
Attendance of Cabinet Office Senior Vice Minister Masazumi Gotoda at the "Tokyo Meeting for the Early Resolution of the Takeshima Issue"
August
Ministry of Foreign Affairs request for an increase in the international communications budget, including information about territorial integrity, in the FY2015 budget

[2015]

January
Cabinet decision to increase the international communications budget in the FY2015 initial budget draft
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