3 Japanese lawmakers give up and return home from Seoul

Seoul's really missing out on a great PR opportunity here. They should greet the politicians on the islands with huge "welcome to Korea" signs, Korean flag-waving children and traditionally-dressed dancers,. Then they should offer them a banquet of traditional Korean food with plenty of grilled beef ("No radiation in Korea, my friends!") and then send them on their way with goodie-bags including kimchi, a wall-map showing the region from Seoul's point of view and "I heart Dokdo" T-shirts.

I'd pay to see that.

Who are these clowns? Japanese version of the three stooges? Oh by the way, no atomic bombs were ever dropped in Japan...

I feel, if they are truly devoted to the well being of Japan, that they should climb a tree on the island & refuse to come down.

I swear it might work.

Good on Korea for barring these fools entry! Next time, if they try again, please lock them up.

We don't intend to fight there. We want to express our feeling of anger to the South Korean people

This has nothing to do with fighting for any disputed islands or expressing feelings of anger. This is the LDP painting one more section of their 'We know we are irrelevant and have no intention of winning the next election' poster.

I hope the Koreans do dress them in those 'I♥Dokdo' Tshirts and deport them on a flight bound for Tohoku from where they can walk home. Remind them of what they're supposed to be concentrating on right now.

Idiots.

CityView

Korea keeps showing that they are not mature enough to be part of international diplomacy. However weird the visitors' agenda is, a developed and democratic nation can handle this without any childish outbursts.

Yeah like Japan is the poster child for acting mature. Doesnt Japan call it extremely regrettable when Russians visit the Southern Kurils, doesnt Japan ban travel on Korean airlines when they fly over Korea's own territory, doesnt Japan also chase out foreign ships from disputed islands it controls, doesnt Japan complain when someone makes a joke about something or someone Japanese. But when Korea refuses entry to a war criminals descendant, and a history denier its Korea being immature. Well thats warped logic if ever lve seen it. Japan the eternal victims that is for sure.

I'm glad they're refusing to leave -- I hope South Korea locks them up and pins a criminal record on them therefore ensuring they can never enter South Korea again for at least a decade. These men are buffoons, as were their war criminal relatives before them. Clearly they do not learn from the mistakes of the past.

Just goes to show that with all the problems Japan has internally the LDP manages to find yet another way to make themselves look like clowns to the world.

..or is that the South Korean foreign ministry? Either way, if the three IDIOTS don't want to go home, and they can't get into Korea, maybe they can hang around the airport for a few years. They might even turn into a tourist attraction (come and see the homeless raggedy Japanese ex-politicians, throw peanuts at them!), and we certainly don't need their kind back here.

When/if they get back to Japan I hope they get the sack for abandoning their duties and trying to make Japan a laughing stock. And they can return that part of the salary paid to them as Japanese lawmakers for the time they're wasting playing at being tough guys and not doing the job they're paid to do.

Masahisa Sato seemed like a nice guy when he was over in Iraq. I didn't know he was a nationalist fool like the other 2 idiots.

Shindo looks like the kind of guy who wouldn't look out of place in a black van.

So Japan took control of these islands during war time and imperialistic rule in Asia. they then lost the war and these islets were given back to Korea. Now, some 70 odd years later they think they still have a right to these islets? Sorry Japan, you are out of line and probably out of luck.

So we've got a grandson of a WWII general, a lawyer for Yasukuni and rabid denier of Nanjing, and a former military man with a WWII-era moustache. I doubt these three individuals are operating objectively toward the greater good of their country. They've got a few axes to grind or fantasy worlds to live out. What's kind of scary is how these fringe wackos still attract a sizeable portion of Japanese sympathies, regardless of how they may be chuckled at for their childishness. Is this the way political discourse has to take place in Japan? And don't these politicians have more important issues to take up at the moment?

No vg866. What's funny is 39 Koreans living on a rock. What's funny is refusing entry of a Japanese lawmaker whose intention was to visit Ulleungdo (A Korean territory recognized by Japan) What's funny is a three insignificant lawmakers can make Koreans look foolish.

Koreans look foolish here? Thats funny, I could have sworn most of the comments here are ridiculing the maturity level of Japan. You must live in your own fantasy world.

Three trouble makers visit a FOREIGN country, and the country decides to ban them because they are a nuisance. Sounds perfectly legitimate to me. This is only hurting Japans image.

Koreans didn't throw a fit. Those three stooges threw a fit and felt the need to be as annoying as possible in a country that is not theirs.

Don't know which is more pathetic: two countries (Japan and South Korea) mindlessly bickering about nothing, or so many posters needlessly posting back and forth about something as trivial as this.

Glad I don't have to wait until next week for the next episode of this enthralling sitcom :)

hahahaha! who is japan trying to fool? dokdo without a doubt belongs to korea.

As they have been refused entry into South Korea they should be deported immediately and have their passports marked that they where refused entry. That will make travel hard for a few years for them. I think all things considered South Korea handled this remarkably well.

You die!

Wow, some serious intelligence there.

It's so interesting to compare modern Germany's role in Europe with "modern" Japan's role in Asia. Germany lost a quarter of its prewar territory in the war, with millions of its citizens expelled from lands that had been German for centuries. Today there are no territorial disputes and it has joined with its former enemies in what is basically a borderless Europe. It acknowledges the crimes it committed and pays large sums of money annually to the Holocaust survivors. In contrast, Japan has territorial disputes over tiny rocks with three of its four neighbours (the fourth, the USA/Saipan having dropped two atomic bombs on it). It refuses even to acknowledge crimes committed in WWII, much less pay compensation. And the thought that Japan could lead the way to an Asian Union like Germany has to a European Union is unthinkable. Germany is an example to the world of redemption. Japan is an example to the world of, uh,.......

This is getting too silly, I do agree Japan should give up claims on the rocks. However the South Koreans should of let the Japanese "lawmakers" go to the island. Let them climb a tree when it is time to leave. Then take pictures of them as the blue stripped Japanese sap sucker. It craves attention and while it should be "endangered" it carries on. Now they are making pests of themselves at one of their major airports. If they had climbed a tree people could of got them them to sign their "I love Dokdo" tea shirts for food an drink. Then tape them singing in the tree. A good time could of been had by all.

It seems like the three cry-babies are headed home. Disappointed - I wanted to see footage of them in prison with other illegal immigrants!

Foxie: "In Tokyo top government spokesman Yukio Edano voiced regret and said Japan asked South Korea to “reconsider and allow them to enter.”

I'm just surprised he didn't say it was not harmful for human consumption. I thought that was the only thing the guy knew how to say. I notice the 'regrettable' was still intact, though.

@Mark, the government is, it's the clowns in the opposition that want the spotlight back on them that are acting like children.

Shouldn't the headline have read "Japanese opposition lawmakers " the present ruling party don't need this embarrassment .

All right then, why did the three horsemen go over there? Do you assume that they will single-handed take control of these island like Naruto or something? Seriously, if there is to be some diplomacy it can't be done by posers.

The foreign ministry said it would not intervene in the stand-off. "We have no plan to reach out...they'll go back when they think they can no longer stick around," a spokesman said.

Looks like the government of Japan has officially disowned these three stooges.

If they don't want to fly home, let them swim.

Can't say it often enough nor loud enough.

IDIOTS

Zenny11,

Currently, our immigration office is checking on the prohibition measures and the repatriation process is taking place

Looks like they are going to be sent back to Japan. Whether its called deported or not is hard to say. But given Korea in the past has forcefully repatriated people who have been banned from entering the country l would say its on the cards.

Glad they denied the military nutters. Given the added note on textbooks Japan is increasingly a deluded country by design. Another country has the right to deny anyone entry. These 3 obstinate LDPers arenot what Korea wants, nor would anyone.

Nice protest, grumble grumble let's go home! The Closet Homosexual Black van crew will love it. Can't geta girlfriend get a black van crew. As for compensation well there is not a country that was occupied that feels Japan has done anywhere near enough to say sorry. If these 3 bafoons had stayed until Wednesday they could have address the weekly sex slave protest in front of the Japanese Embassy, told them it's a hoax and they can all go home!

SamuraiBlue: "No they are not diplomats but they are lawmakers, yes they speak words against the present Korean administration but they are visiting Korea on their own time which make them tourist since they are not doing business in Korea."

They are visiting AS lawmakers, and lawmakers who's grandpappies were involved in the rape of Nanking among other atrocities. Go figure you would defend them. Here's a question: do you think the rape of Nanking occurred? Yes or no. Easy question. The scumbags who went to SK with the sole intent of causing trouble don't seem to think so -- or at least one of them is a holocaust -- oops, I mean massacre denier.

No, they are not visiting SK on their own time as tourists -- they have flat out said it is to express their anger at SK. Can you give me the proof that they paid their own money and not tax dollars to go there? that they went with family for some toppogi and Korean cosmetics? You can't, can you?

Hey - at least they had nine hours of duty-free shopping. Hermes necktie and Tibaldi pen galore!

I'm sure these three LDP clowns will "express their anger" by driving around with their black-van mates now that they are back in Japan.

Given that Korea stated in advance that these clowns would not be admitted to the country I'm surprised that they were allowed to board the flight leaving Japan. Perhaps they could be allowed into Korea in future if they first sign a statement acknowledging Korean sovereignty over Dokdo/Takeshima.

It all goes to show how absolutely pathetic the LDP are.

nigelboy: "Yes smith. Nothing in SK has changed about their hysterical 2 year old tantrum regarding Takeshima."

Ummm... who were the lawmakers who insisted on going despite their own government telling them not to? Japan throws tantrums about these islands all the time, as they do the Kuriles (hence the right-wingers burning a Russian flag in front of the embassy in Tokyo and throwing a hissy fit).

"How about a third choice? Korea agrees Japan's request to settle the dispute via ICJ instead of spending countless hours and money all over the world shouting "Dokdo is ours!!!"??"

This tired old argument again? after you've had your but handed to you numerous times over it? Seriously, my friend, you need to let this one go. Nations only go to the ICJ when there is a dispute, and SK has nothing to dispute -- it is SKorean land and they know it. Furthermore, as has been stated, the ICJ is non-binding. When the ICJ inevitably gave SK complete and undisputed sovereignty of the islands you think Japan would sit down and take it like men? No! They would selectively forget about the whole thing and people would suddenly start claiming how the ICJ is against Japanese culture and that Japan deserves the islands because they are victims.

I don't understand why Japan is constantly fronting about Dokdo! It has always been Korean territory since the beginning of the 3 kingdoms!

A little exert for your enjoyment...

Japanese Acknowledgement of the Truth Japanese historical records of EunJuSiChengHabKi in 1667 acknowledged Ullungdo and Dokdo as Korean Territory. And the report of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, also clarified Dokdo as Chosun's territory.>

Koreans have every right to deny entrance to those 3 troublemakers. if your next door neighbor claims YOUR 60 inch TV as his own and keeps pestering you about it, would you let him into your house? Same Sh... different pile.

Tools.

“We don’t intend to fight there. We want to express our feeling of anger to the South Korean people.”

So you have three lawmakers, two of whom are directly related to colonization and massacre, who plan to go in order to 'express their anger' and claim the SK claim is illegal, and yet people like SamuraiBlue will say these people are just going as tourists.

Like I said before, I hope they put up a fuss when they are barred, get strip-searched, then locked up for a short stint before being sent home.

Shouldnt this be illegal undr the japanese constitution? I mean this is something that could directly incite war. I put this up to too many years hiding under the UN flag of protection and putting up a false facade of being a non-aggressive state.

So, they got kicked out of the country, no surprise. I wonder if that moron grunt Sato will try and enlist a few of his heavies (ex army grunts) when he "tries to get back in" to try and scare a few Koreans? LOL Seriously, this joint is facing it's biggest crisis in 60 odd years - and these 3 fools want to play silly games? Scary thing is this mob will be back in power very soon...

Japanese Government should focus on more important issues like the endangered public health due to radioactive food, or improvisions on its economy in case of an imminent crisis.

These guys are opposition lawmakers. Could this be one of the reasons they are not in the party that actually leads the government?

South Korea can refuse entry to anyone it likes !

Dokdo is not uninhabited as two Koreans call it their home. From what I can tell Dokdo really has zero value to modern day Japan and they should just give up claims to these two rocks in the sea.

Well, wikipedia says it has rich fishing grounds and possibly large gas deposits. Anyway, owning an island also means owning waters around it, so even if it's a small rock in water, there's a lot of naval territory to be gained.

I do believe that it is mostly economical interests fueling the dispute between the two contries, although South Korea does seem to get slightly more emotional.

Yes those LDPites are clowns: The Japanese = of Holocaust deniers who behave like rotten 12 year olds in South Korea where they are gaijin. But don't forget that it was the DPJ government that ordered its diplomats not to fly Korean Air after they flew over what Dokdo Island and other islands that are in fact South Korean territory. Also don't forget that Japan's officially sanctioned textbooks claim Dokdo Island as Japanese territory. There are more clowns in Japan than meet the eye.

Ask me to settle all of Japanese territorial claims. I say finders keepers losers weeps. Japan loses some and gains some in the deal.

Look at it another way. Japan was a brutal colonial power that waged a war of aggression and lost, losing a little of its territory in the process. The official line ought to be "Whew, glad we didn't lose any more."

Anyway, it's interesting that the South Korean government, while denying them entry, is not kicking these LDP idiots out but letting them go home when they've enough of the airport. Eventually they'll want fresh underwear and make a heroic retreat home.

What freaking morons, why do they think they would be allowed into another country, any country can reject anyone for any reason.

Hahahaha! They gave up and left for home, eh? Cowards. That's all they are... showboating cowards. And cowards born of the seed of war criminal cowards. Typical they surrender while pretending they have won.

This should be in the entertainment section :)

this is priceless entertainment.

'“If our entry is denied, we will visit once again,” he added, saying that the entry ban might evolve into a diplomatic row between the nations.'

And you will be barred entry again, and rightly so. Sadly, though, they are probably flying on the tax payers' dime.

These two countries are acting like little kids in a playground. In fact, worse than little kids.

Dokdo is not uninhabited as two Koreans call it their home. From what I can tell Dokdo really has zero value to modern day Japan and they should just give up claims to these two rocks in the sea.

very sad and unfortunate when their nation is in crisis - Fukushima disaster, they should apologize to SK and return immediately and serve their own people in tsunami affected areas.

Once they get sick of the airport and decide it's time to return home, I hope all airlines refuse to take them.

Anyone know which districts/areas these guys represent?

How can anyone be "deported" from the international area of an airport as it is considered not to belong to any country?

Korea can only deport them once they are on Korean soil but they been refused entry to that one.

Zenny11: "How can anyone be "deported" from the international area of an airport as it is considered not to belong to any country?"

It's a fair point, and likely the reason they have not yet been deported. However, if someone committed a crime in the 'international' terminal, would the country that it resides in not be responsible for handling it? These men may not be committing any crimes, yet, but they have been barred entry and refuse to leave. Eventually that should result in deportation as they are fighting the nation in which the terminal resides. Sticky situation, for sure, but one that SK could easily justify with deportation.

“We don’t intend to fight there. We want to express our feeling of anger to the South Korean people,” he said.

Now how could anybody be so dumb and announce such an action before actually going there?

Korea is way too patient again. Dokdo belongs to Korea - end of story.

Seems like a lot of bother for a few "islands" that are inhabited by only a small coastguard force & which will probably be underwater in a few years....

lucabrasi- Maybe. Except no one ever, ever happily hold hands and sings kumbaya in political disputes.

"totally agree and I love lucabrasi`s idea too. Sadly though, I have a feeling they are going to return to a "heroes" welcome from some quarters."

They will, and if anyone tries to protest their heroes welcome the police will do what they usually do and ask them to step back out of the way of the black trucks as they cannot ensure the protestors' safety (I'd say it's ironic, but it's completely expected).

SamuraiBlue: "Get your facts straightened out, Japan had publicly acknowledge the war atrocities and had paid to every nation in terms of compensation which adds up to $22 billion US dollars in 1960 standards."

And every year the textbooks here get thinner and thinner in terms of Japanese atrocities while the chapters on them being victims get thicker and thicker, and one of these lawmakers is in part responsible -- claiming the rape of Nanking never happened. Japan paid out a pittance of what it stole and the damage it caused so it could later shirk responsibility for what happened under the, "we already paid" excuses.

Gee Skeptical you are harsh. South Korea should claim "we do not make the clowns, we make them more entertaining"

YuriOtani: "Gee Skeptical you are harsh. South Korea should claim "we do not make the clowns, we make them more entertaining"

You know, Yuri, you actually gave me a chuckle here. :)

What morons these three stooges are. Sato even looks like the typical militarist/nationalist that he is with that WW2 style mustache. It appears that these LDP stooges are setting this pantomine up to divert public attention from the fact that they have nuked Japanese children through their decades-long incompetence and corruption when in government.

SamuraiBlue: "I believe they can make an appeal to a Korean civil court for formal explanation with basis of denial for entry by the ministry of foreign affairs and the present administration."

It's interesting to see you agree that they need to appeal to SK to visit said territories. As I stated before, this visit will in fact work against the Japanese claim on Dokdo, and it is doing that. Now more than ever the world realizes it is SK land and Japan is once again acting like a two-year-old.

"It is just foolish to deny entry just because they speak against the present administration's wishes."

Hang on... the other day you said they were going as tourists, and after asking a dozen times the same question and refusing to see the answer for what it is you STILL can't understand why they were banned?

Laguna: "Hey - at least they had nine hours of duty-free shopping. Hermes necktie and Tibaldi pen galore! "

Very true. As much as it makes the Japanese who care feel like little girls it's a well known fact South Korea is the hub of Asia. Maehara embarrassed himself by trying to make Haneda the hub, and then they built Ibaraki IX, which was supposed to make a mint but is now completely useless after the earthquake (to be fair, it was only doing ONE flight a day, to Korea, before the quake).

I'm not surprised these so-callled men are running for the hills. I hope next time they are simply put in prison.

SamuraiBlue: "What in the hell does the Nanking incident have any relevance to this issue."

And once again, you avoid the question. The relation to the Nanking massacre is mentioned in this article, in relation to the law maker who denies it. I asked you if you deny it and you simply are too scared to answer. Not surprised, though, given your stance on the issue.

"It doesn't matter if they are lawmakers or whether the want to express anger, they went on their on time on their own free will with no business activities in S.Korea therefore they are classified as tourists under commonly accepted immigration laws around the rest of the world."

Bwahahaha! You still honestly delude yourself as such? Yesterday you say they are tourists, today you backtrack and admit they are not and make excuses. I won't be surprised by the excuses you come up with tomorrow to explain why the Japanese once again ran away from SK. But hey, take it as a plus -- their granddads had to go back as cowards, and now so do they.

If I had been the Koreans, I'd have given a lift to those 3 creatures and delivered them by helicopter on those rocks in the sea. Then even give them South-Korean passports. And forget them there. Let them fish their food and collect rainwater to drink till the end of times. I mean they want to live there, no ?

We all know what the outcome will be. Dokdo is part of Korea always has been, always will be. Japan has other worries and other responsibilities that they are quite frankly lacking in. What does Japan hope to gain, pride, honor? The Japanese have no leg to stand of this issue, it is a losing one and Japan has a lot more to lose. I get it, a crippled and sluggish economy, country suffered(ing) from earthquakes and aftershocks, Tsunami and an out of control nuclear power plant that we have no real idea if and when the situation will stabilize itself, add to that the food and radiation scare, Japan has more pressing things to attend to, but this is about Japanese national pride, PR move pure and simple. This is a bad move and the Koreans have the upper-hand and it seems like on this issue they have support from the North, I think Japan should just call it a day, concede and take care of the people and the more serious problems pressing and affecting this nation.

Also ... anyone else get the feeling this is partly intentional.

Now we have a lot of anti-LDP, anti-Japan, pro-non-Japan, commenters here who go "LDP-LOL" but you don't get into the political circle of your country by being a dimwit.

I won't be surprised if this is a manufactured excuse for something else internal. There is literally no consequence to pissing of SKorea after all - unlike say China.

Probably going into tinfoil hat terriority here, but it might be even this BS is coordinated between the 2 governments ... It happened with the middle east governments and the US. On the surface they throw rhetoric at each other, but as wikileaks shows they are actually buddies behind the scenes.

These two countries' governments should be ashamed of themselves. Childish bickering is simply unnecessary and not fruitful. Shame on both of them.

Really, because the only thing more bizarre and childish than South Korean politicians are their Japanese counterparts. These two countries certainly love to be hysterical for the sake of votes. Nothing more to it.

@sakusaku00000

As for Treaty of Peace with Japan, the territory etc. handed over to the territory and South Korea that Japan abandons by the end of the war agreement of WW2 have been decided. South Korea broke Treaty of Peace with Japan, and occupied Takeshima. Japan was judged in Tokyo war crimes tribunal. Then, how does the crime of South Korea that broke a treaty become it?How does the crime to which 45 person bloodshed and 3000 people or more are abducting confined by the process of the occupation become it? Moreover, there is no description "Dokto" in the history book that South Korea presents. Because it is a name that "Syngman Rhee" named after WW2. As for "Dokto" of the old document that South Korea means, the possibility of another island that is not "Liancourt Rocks" is higher. How the South Korean fabricated the history, "History in 5000 Korean" and "The kendo and the ninja are South Korea origins", etc. are how much. I regret the thing that this journalist is cheated by the lie "Severe colonialization" very much. If magic that doubles the population exploiting by the draconian rule, and murdering it is found, the South Korean will be able to take Nobel prize.

What?! Are YOU kidding me? I've never heard in my 30 years such thing, that KOREA claims that kendo and the ninja are originally theirs... I've been practicing KENDO since I was in chugakko and I have never heard any of my sensei saying such things. When I left Okinawa and moved to Ibaraki, the same thing. Never heard such claim. In fact, I have had a couple of Korean classmates and they never said what you are claiming. Still, Do you have any hard evidence to back up your statements? If so, please let me know. By the way...Are you using Excite or Nifty? I recommend Nifty, It's so much better for your translations. =) Cheers

@vg866

The US allowed Korea to occupy the island after the war. If Korea broke some imaginary law when they occupied it, then why didn't the US tell Korea to leave?

Exactly, I was expecting him/her to answer that question which he never did. Hmmm....

What? Exactly what fictional history book did you read? Korea did not kill 45 Japanese people and then abduct 3000 more. You live in a fantasy world.

He does indeed, that fantasy world is called 2ch~ =D

Rhee did not coin the term Dokdo. Korea had many names for Dokdo including Sokdo. But thats besides the point, just look at the word Takeshima. Takeshima means bamboo island. There is no bamboo on Dokdo/Takeshima. There never was any bamboo.

Hahaha, that's right, there is no evidence of Bamboo growing wild in those islands so I wonder how come they are called TAKESHIMA? 「竹島」　Bamboo Island?

Typical 2ch conspiracy theory by lonely men who spend their entire lives on the internet complaining about foreigners destroying the economy. Korea does not care about 「剣道」Kendo or ninja and does not claim them as Korean origin. I remember how you guys got so upset that Koreans were "stealing" Judo because Koreans pronounced it Yudo rather then Judo. What a sad bunch of people you guys are.

These are the right-wing scumbags responsible for spreading HATRED and RACISM among the common Japanese folk through their cunning/disgusting propaganda, magazines and the notorious black buses. This people are not only scum they are indeed vile and evil. But the corrupted government of our country endorses and funds their practices. あいつらは汚い～

Your English is terrible and I have no idea what you just said.

I think he's just using the English/Japanese Online Translator, probably Excite... He should swift to Nifty though~

I could of swore -> I could have sworn

nigelboy: "I'm sure Japan is more than willing to draft a special agreement once Korea agrees to take this to ICJ."

Why would South Korea go to the ICJ over it's own territory? Only Japan disputes the claim, not SK. I don't see Japan suggesting it and China go to the ICJ over Senkaku... do you? Now why would that be, I wonder.

Anyway, it doesn't matter -- time is on SK's side. They live on the islands and administer them, Japan can do nothing about it. If idiot politicians like these three clowns want to go there again despite being banned they deserve the inevitable punishment and deportation.

The two other lawmakers are Tomomi Inada, a former lawyer who denies the 1937 Nanjing massacre, and Masahisa Sato, a former member of the Japanese military who headed a Japanese reconstruction mission to Iraq in 2004.

I sure hope nothing happens to them over there - they were warned about possible safety issues after all...

Lesee who wins round 1 of this tit for tat. Japan's poke: don't fly Korean Air (like they do anyway) for a month. Ouch! (sarcasm alert). Korea's counter: To deny entry to 3 politicians in a very public and embarrassing way. I'm gonna go with Korea for round 1. Seriously though, I do have agree with the others that these guys should be more focused on the immediate issues facing Japan right now. But I do like lucabrasi's idea too.

Ah another day to be embarassed to be a resident of Japan, why on earth these dimwits keep getting elected reflects very poorly on Japan, calling all Japanese, please oh please THINK before you vote, if yr going to vote that is

When will these two governments ever learn ...

I dont understand why SKorea refused 3 Japanese politicians to visit Ulleung island. If they are some kind of extremists, rejection is understandable. They are just another politicians. It is a surprise that SKorea refuses the entry if it don't like any persons. I thought SKorea is free country.

America is a free country too. Yet, it refuses travel, implies no-fly lists, and proscibes entry for people from Iran, Iraq, North Korea, and certain other countries without exceptional permission from Homeland security. Japan does the same thing too, and Korea is not an exception.

This is all a political game. Japan boycotted Korean Airlines for flying over the Liancourt Islands(which stirred anger over the Korean politicians), and this is just a political retaliation from the Lee Administration. Remember that the current President, Lee Myung bak, is VERY conservative and right-wing about these issues, and he's more than eager to play this political game.

kwatt: "I dont understand why SKorea refused 3 Japanese politicians to visit Ulleung island. If they are some kind of extremists, rejection is understandable. They are just another politicians."

They clearly expressed they were going there to cause trouble and express 'anger', so SK has the right to bar their entry. SKorea is a free country indeed, as is Japan, and Japan also reserves the right to ban people who would come here with the intent of causing problems.

warallthetime: "From what I can tell Dokdo really has zero value to modern day Japan and they should just give up claims to these two rocks in the sea."

Japan never really put up a stink about the islands being South Korean until it was determined that there may be valuable resources in the seas around the islands. If the land is Japanese, that therefore extends their maritime 'border', and thus gives them rights to the resources. Unfortunately for Japan, they are SKorean islands, plain and simple.

Spidapig24: Agreed. In fact, had they let the men into SK where people were waiting tastelessly outside with coffins who knows what could have happened. In that sense, South Korea has helped these stupid men, whereas all said stupid men have done is damaged bilateral relations and espoused their grandparents massacre-like attitude towards Japan's neighbours.

gogogo: Yeah, pretty over the top. Beats a lot of the Japanese-English you see on signs when the right-wingers take their kids out for a family protest in Tokyo, though.

I really like Lucabarasi's idea. The only other thing I suggest is that while they are over there, maybe they can do a tour of some museum's and talk to survivor's and victims, and maybe watch some documentaries about Nanking - seeing how they think the problems with reconstruction in the North, and Fukushima, and radiation in food is all under control and they have so much free time on their hands.

Oh, of course since they aren't actually working for the Japanese people, they will of course be happy for their salaries to be donated to the relief work here in Japan.

When/if they get back to Japan I hope they get the sack for abandoning their duties and trying to make Japan a laughing stock. And they can return that part of the salary paid to them as Japanese lawmakers for the time they're wasting playing at being tough guys and not doing the job they're paid to do.

totally agree and I love lucabrasi`s idea too. Sadly though, I have a feeling they are going to return to a "heroes" welcome from some quarters.

The three gentlemen should have rented a private jet & flown directly over / near the islands in the first place as a means to free the already cramped Gimpo airport from unexpected crowds of demonstrators, reporters & onlookers.

In case of budget constraints, ask KAL to offer a free ride if the one month KAL ban is not yet over (?), they will definitely be too happy to do so.

All readers back on topic please.

HILARIOUS! just like the movie, now let's see how long they can last bathing, eating, surviving at the airport! I hope someone has a camera to document their demise!

In Tokyo top government spokesman Yukio Edano voiced regret and said Japan asked South Korea to “reconsider and allow them to enter.”

Me not understand. Didn't they say before 'We want to express our feeling of anger to the South Korean people'

Does that mean that when in the future Seasheperd or Taiji activists will come and say beforehand that they want to express their feeling of anger to the Japanese people, they will be granted entry with no problems?

SamuraiBlue: "Again source, please"

Ummm... the article?

"Has no relevance to the topic whatsoever."

Ah, so you can't answer. No surprise. It was more of a redundant question to point out your ultra-right stance on the issue. Thank you for proving me correct.

"Which they do on their free time on their own free will so yes they are tourists."

No, they flat out said they are visiting as lawmakers who want to 'express anger'. I truly am sorry that this is difficult for you to comprehend. I do understand you are terribly embarrassed, but why ask the same question again and again to make yourself look even more the fool? They are not visiting as tourists... they are visiting as politicians bent on causing trouble. They were therefore rightly banned, and now the l'il boys are coming back to Japan, tail between legs, having accomplished nothing but embarrassing Japan on the world stage and further proving that what is SK is is SK. I am honestly laughing at how pathetic these men are.

Its like Lord of the Rings, "You Shall Not pass!"

“We have informed them that it is deeply regrettable that South Korea took such action against the lawmakers from our country,” he said.

Sorry Edano, but what is regrettable is that three right-wing nut jobs who want to re-write history have made Japan look foolish in the area of foreign affairts/diplomacy once again. What unbridled arrogance -- to demand entry to a country so they can gain media attention for Japan's claims. And what is equally as regrettable is that the DPJ-led government feels forced to defend them. Japan is totally clueless.

They should of let them in, it would of been something to see 3 Japanese lawmakers sitting in a tree. Well they got their 15 minutes. Got around to hear one of them speak, my eyes crossed soon after. I plead innocent and did not vote for any of these chappies. I say the voters should write in Tama-chan next election, a more intelligent choice.

Laguna, Gimpo doesn't have such good shops as Incheon. Anyway, this circus will be over in a month or two. People from both sides are tired of watching their politicians behave like children.

Hawaiian /South Pacific people discovered and populated Okinawa I think it's time they claim it back too. That has a real historical claim.

It was just a political 'little show' by the LDP to draw people's attention, they are nothing keen to demonstrate Japan's stance over those isles!

Nothing will change under the current circumstances. I can think of only two scenarios in which Japan could get back control of the rocks: 1) South Korea suffers an economic crisis so calamitous that it is forced to sell Dokdo to Japan, to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars, because Koreans would demand no less, and even so the Korean politicians arranging the deal would probably be assassinated. 2) The US withdraws all armed forces from the region, giving rise to an unstable multipolar environment that allows Japanese rightists to indulge in their wildest dreams, including renunciation of Article 9, development of a nuclear arsenal, and seizure of territories that they felt were wrongfully occupied by South Korea and the USSR after WWII.

Basically nobody outside of Japan and Korea knows or cares about this territorial dispute. The US won't definitively take sides in a dispute between 2 of its key allies. Japan's efforts at portraying these uninhabited rocks as some sort of "occupied territory" akin to Gaza or East Timor are ridiculous.

Bulgogi and Bimbimbap dishes will resolve all diplomatic issues hehe ^_^

@Ermil Andal; Am I to assume you are Japanese?

Germany is an example to the world of redemption. Japan is an example to the world of, uh,.......

I think one word that could follow is... "shit-surei-shimasu"

Literally.

Bad timing. What are the priorties for J-goverment? Since Kan hasn't said anything against this issue, did head of the J-goverment, PM Kan approve of what these three lawmakers plans to do? It makes sense with the current difficulty in their own country. And why is it so important now for Japan to create a conflict to a country that donated over $50 billion dollars to the Japan relief? I would ask Japan to pay back all the money. These Japanese lawmakers don't give a damm about the countless hours these Koreans work to raise millions for the Japan relief and for better relations. Japan is saying stick it. If there is a conflict, and we know there are, why don't these lawmakers go through proper channels for discussion?

Korea agrees Japan's request to settle the dispute via ICJ instead of spending countless hours and money all over the world shouting "Dokdo is ours!!!"??

Because, Nigelboy, Korea has no interest in acceding to any request from Japan regarding this matter, sovereign states are in no way subordinate to the ICJ, and the one country (the USA) that could potentially coerce Korea into accepting Japan's request won't do so for fear of offending a key ally in Asia. So your oft-repeated third choice doesn't exist, and possession is nine-tenths of the law. But I'm sure the "magnificent obsession" of the bureaucrats at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding Dokdo/Takeshima will continue indefinitely. Stubborn bunch they are indeed.

Nigelboy

This is too funny. Korea already won the Dokdo-Takeshima war. There is no need for the ICJ when the dispute is already settled. There are 39 Koreans living on the island, buildings and a big fat Korean flag planted on the rocks. And there is absolutely nill the Japanese can do about this. If the Prime Minister of Japan wanted to visit Dokdo, he would have to request the Korean permission from the Korean government.

If Dokdo truly belonged to Japan, then the three Japanese stooges would have simply taken a boat ride from Japan to the island. Why did they have to fly to Korea, enter a Korean airport, ride a bus and finally charter a boat ride to Ulleungdo which isn’t even Dokdo?

Japan whining about Korea refusing to go to the ICJ is no different from a homeless beggar claiming someone elses house belongs to him and that they should go to court to settle the dispute. The house owner can simply roll his eyes sarcastically and ignore the beggar. The house owner has the key to the house. The beggar has nothing. That’s pretty much the same situation Korea is in.

When in Rome, do as the Romans. When in Korea, do as the Koreans or get deported.

The three stooges are nothing but trouble makers. Behave or get out.

Don't the Japanese have more to worry about than a couple of rocks halfway between Japan and Korea?

Same goes for the Koreans.

For any Japan apologist who believes Korea went too far in banning 3 trouble maker Japanese politicians.

The Japanese government banned Korean Trot(Enka) singer Jung Kwang Tae because of his pro Dokdo views. Thats right folks, they banned a powerless Enka singer.

For Lee, the point was to show he's as determined to defend Korea against the Japanese as he is against the North Koreans, whose challenge to South Korea over waters after the attack on the navy vessel the Cheonan and the subsequent shelling of nearby Yeonpyeong Island. If nothing else, the ruckus over Dokdo served as a reminder of the latent hostility between Japan and Korea at a most unlikely time. The question was why the ponderous Japanese bureaucracy had to repeat its hoary claim to "Dokdo", while South Koreans have been collecting donations and sending rescue teams in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami that inundated the northeast coast of Japan.

When will this end?

China, Japan, Korea. These 3 east asian country will be lock in endless BS with each other for the rest of time.

Good for the rest of the world I suppose. If they don't corporate they are weaker as individual states.

And the US can continue to "rule" the world.

Dokdo is part of Korea always has been, always will be. Japan has other worries and other responsibilities that they are quite frankly lacking in. What does Japan hope to gain, pride, honor?

Posters do realize it was only three measly legislators who wished to go to the islands, right?

The Japanese government banned Korean Trot(Enka) singer Jung Kwang Tae because of his pro Dokdo views. Should really provide sources when making shallow claims like that ~nida.

YuriOtani: no need to apologise for your plonker politicians. In the UK we have a few national embarrassments running around the place too so we can sympathise! Most intelligent people will understand and realise that these morons do not represent "Japan" however much they like to think they do.

I think they have made major fools of themselves and sadly Japan as a nation too, although I think Koreas reaction was also a little extreme. I can understand them seriously being concerned for safety though - if those bloodthirsty idiots ith the coffin had got their hands on them and attacked them, this silly little incident would have quickly escalated.

On the other hand, I absolutely agree with Lucabrasis opinion - give them protection, a welcome ceremony and a guided tour and send them off wth the t-shirts. SK would have made themselves look really hospitable whilst making these guys look even more idiotic. That would have been a smarter move.

Yeah, I was actually hoping they would hold out a bit longer than 9 hours - maybe get some pictures of them sleeping on the floor and living off of vending machines for a few days, that kind of thing!

NeoJamal, you are a real prize. racial slurs and they were turned away from the capital. Three clueless politicians hunting for votes against the entire South Korean nation. Yes there are not enough paper bags to go around! miamum, thank you for your kind words. I suppose these chappies are every where.

Summary: this is a stupid political stunt to pander even slightly nationalistic voters (a huge demographic) for the next election and distracting attention away from what they should actually be working on and that is containment of the nuclear accident.

Seriously, what the hell are they doing?!

The effect of this charade would also have similar effects in Korea I imagine. The current government would be garnering points with their own nationalistic demographic so why not go with the flow?

In either case, all of this is pointless that gets nothing practical done. I hope someone is able to publicize the amount of taxpayer money wasted in airfare etc. for these idiots.

hoipolloi; In either case, all of this is pointless that gets nothing practical done. I hope someone is able to publicize the amount of taxpayer money wasted in airfare etc. for these idiots.

None beside the money paid as salary towards them since they went on their own free terms and not on any official business, like a government paid overseas review tour.

Looks like they stayed until the airport bar refused to serve them any more, then home in time to spend the rest of the night at the hostess bar. Great job, Boys!

Seriously though. Poor diplomacy to go traveling around the world showing off your alcoholism. Have you no shame?

I suppose these chappies are every where

Sadly, yes, and the only thing they seem to have in common wherever they are from is that they are lower ranking, lower intellect, and desperate for attention.

OrangeW3dge: are you speculating or is that actually true that they spent their entire time in the bar until they refused to serve them anymore? If so, that is even more hilarious!

They are total idiots. I cannot believe these people are called "SENSE-EEI" governing Japan?!

“We have informed them that it is deeply regrettable that South Korea took such action against the lawmakers from our country,” he said.

I don't care that they got refused entry in South Korea, I'm actually very happy that the Koreans blocked entry to these pieces of trash...Look at them, most of them related to WAR CRIMINALS and SAVAGES. They are not human to me. I'm glad they got kicked out. They deserve no sympathy from no one. They are nothing but SCUM.

虫けら！ゴミ！

****SunnysideUpAug. 01, 2011 - 01:17PM JST

Who are these clowns? Japanese version of the three stooges? Oh by the way, no atomic bombs were ever dropped in Japan...

YEAH, There were NO Atom bombs dropped in Japan, it's all an ILLUSION!! Just like the "Naking Massacre and Korean Ocupation", right Japan??? It's all in "their heads"... ROFLMAO!!!!!!!

sakurasakura: "A cultural level is the same as North Korea. They are the people of low-level."

No, these three lawmakers are 'the people of low-level', just like their grandparents were.

Yeah, well maybe I got the wrong, but since they were barred I assumed that they also barred while being barred. Yes?

miamumAug. 02, 2011 - 11:56AM JST

Sadly, yes, and the only thing they seem to have in common wherever they are from is that they are lower ranking, lower intellect, and desperate for attention.

OrangeW3dge: are you speculating or is that actually true that they spent their entire time in the bar until they refused to serve them anymore? If so, that is even more hilarious!

I know, right? LOL!!!

**bass4funkAug. 02, 2011 - 08:13AM JST

We all know what the outcome will be. Dokdo is part of Korea always has been, always will be. Japan has other worries and other responsibilities that they are quite frankly lacking in. What does Japan hope to gain, pride, honor? The Japanese have no leg to stand of this issue, it is a losing one and Japan has a lot more to lose. I get it, a crippled and sluggish economy, country suffered(ing) from earthquakes and aftershocks, Tsunami and an out of control nuclear power plant that we have no real idea if and when the situation will stabilize itself, add to that the food and radiation scare, Japan has more pressing things to attend to, but this is about Japanese national pride, PR move pure and simple. This is a bad move and the Koreans have the upper-hand and it seems like on this issue they have support from the North, I think Japan should just call it a day, concede and take care of the people and the more serious problems pressing and affecting this nation. **

Excellent post there, my friend~ ^_^

ROFLMAO~ xD

hahahahaha, really what did they expect?

If you're trying to be funny with your random and weak attempts at humor, don't give up your day job. Seriously, I can guess at what you're trying to say but you're simply incoherent and bring up the most random off-topic issues. Is that all you know how to do?

Even with warning from South Korean government, these three politicans came. If this was China or Russia they wouldn't have planned such publicity stunt because they would have been jailed as soon as they set their foots into Kuril islands. Maybe end up in Siberian labor camp. Japan knows South Korea is democratic country so they abused this opportunity. If these three politicans went to Kuril island, you only had to pay one way for the ticket. That would've been cost savings to the taxpayers.

What these Japanese politicians planned for was publicity and attention. They should have sent them back with Korean gifts and have them photographed with bunch of Uleungdo locals wearing "I love Korea and Dokdo Beach" T-shirt printed on. In this way, these three Japanese politician's image would have would help the tourist industry to Dokdo.

You are so close. But in principle, I basically agree with this statement. However, arbitration is " a form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), is a legal technique for the resolution of disputes outside the courts, where the parties to a dispute refer it to one or more persons (the "arbitrators", "arbiters" or "arbitral tribunal"), by whose decision (the "award") they agree to be bound." Hence, ICJ does not qualify as arbitration for the cases assign judges. In some territorial disputes, arbitration via Permanent Court of Arbitration was used to settle such disputes. In other non territorial disputes, other Permanent International Courts (i.e. other judicial settlements) are used. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_court

You are correcting me on stuff I did not say. It’s a typical tactic I noticed that you frequently employ to make it seem like you have the upper hand. I referred to the ICJ as a judicial settlement. I merely gave the definition of arbitration. Quit mixing the two.

Not quite. It's more like "we recognize the jurisdiction of the ICJ as compulsory on disputes with any other states under the same obligation". In other words, if both nations are signatory to the declaration, one party can bring forth a case to the court without special agreement (consent) from another. This is what Australia did to Japan in regards to the whaling dispute. To put it simply, Australia did not need Japan's permission to file this contentious case to ICJ.

You are clearly in denial mode. Whats so hard to understand? The passage is in simple English that your average high school student could understand. The passage the Japanese government signed concludes with the statement -

This declaration does not apply to disputes which the parties thereto have agreed or shall agree to refer for final and binding decision to arbitration or judicial settlement.

Its so funny how you behave. Deny comfort women, deny rape of nanking, deny warcrimes, deny facts and now youre denying the English language itself. The statement bluntly states that the entire document the Japanese government signed does not apply to disputes where the ICJ(judicial settlement) agree to settle a dispute. Is it so difficult for you to understand? Or are you going to deny this simple fact?

But let's take a look at your example. If Japan and Korea decides to go to ICJ over this, it would be under a special agreement for contentious case since Korea is NOT a signatory to " "Declarations Recognizing the Jurisdiction of the Court as Compulsory" http://www.icj-cij.org/jurisdiction/index.php?p1=5&p2=1&p3=2 A contentious case under special agreement, " the judgment is final, binding on the parties to a case and without appeal " So if Japan loses, they must abide by the court's decision. If Korea loses, they must abide by the court's decision.

Wait a minute, so now its about special agreements? I thought the entire reason why you brought up compulsory recognition of the ICJ in the previous article was because you foolishly assumed that Korea was too scared to join? Why the hell did you bring up compulsory recognition of the ICJ in the first place if you planned on back tracking? You are getting more and more desperate.

Special agreements is a whole different ball game. Both sides have to agree to it in order for it to take effect. Japan can selectively choose what special agreements it wants to sign and which ones it doesnt. Listen Nigelboy, Korea isn’t the least bit scared of going to court over Dokdo. Japan hasn’t requested Korea take the case to court or even attempted to draft a special agreement in nearly 50 years. Care to explain why? Because the Japanese government knows full well that it will lose. The Japanese government can get pretty loud with its claims, but those claims have no back bone. They are nothing more than hot air, a desperate ploy by politicians to win votes. If the Japanese government was even the tiniest bit serious about getting the islands back, they would have requested the Korean government take the case to court each and every time the territorial dispute flared. Instead, you have only two measly attempts by the Japanese government (1954, 1962) to take the islands to court. 1954 was right after the Korean war ended and 1962 was when the Korean government was overthrown in a coup de tat. Both requests were conveniently timed during the Korean government’s vulnerable periods, when the government was in a state of near anarchy. A rather disgusting act if you ask me. It would be like the Korean government bringing up Japanese warcrimes and demanding compensation during the Tsunami and Fukishima reactor meltdown. Fortunately, Koreans are far more mature and empathic people. Moving on, special agreements are pointless in this scenario. Neither side is willing to draft one. You would assume that Japan would be on the offensive but they are not, they’re scared. Korea sees no point in drafting a special agreement because it already controls the territory, the rest of the world recognizes it as Korean territory, going to court over territory already in Korean hands is a waste of tax payers money, and because Korea has nothing to gain from it(already controls the island). Japan sees no point in drafting a special agreement because it knows it will lose, the humiliation and loss of face after losing, and because Japanese politicians will lose an outlet for gaining nationalists votes.

Japan is too scared to go to court with compulsory members, and too scared to draft a special agreement. Japanese claims are nothing more than nationalistic displays to win vote and to get the more gullible segments of the population(you) to support right wing politicians. The Japanese government knows it can never get Dokdo, thats why they dont even try to. The furthest they will go is publish a warped textbook. A rather sad, pathetic and futile attempt by the same people who believe Nanking was a fairy tale.

This debate is finished, you have nothing left to argue.

Yes. Very much so. You even supported it by stating that 39 people reside on the rock.

39 people living on Dokdo is not a foolish act, its called demonstrating and defending sovereignty. Its the reason why the rest of the world recognizes Korea as administering the islands(and not Japan). Too bad the Japanese government cant even get a single human hair on the island because it’s clearly no theirs. Lots of hot air by the Japanese government even though they can’t get anywhere close to the island.

Let's review. Your government basically admitted that they can't control the Dokdo nutjobs. In other words, your country has a lot of them prone to violence.

Actually, the Dokdo nutjobs would be the three Japanese politicians who publicly announced that they were planning to enter a foreign country in order to cause a ruckus. The Dokdo nutjobs would also be the Japanese government who barrered entry to Korean singer Jung Kwang Tae because of his pro Dokdo views. The Korean government barred entry to those 3 idiots because they were not only a nuisance to the public, but also a danger to themselves. The Korean government was doing those 3 a favor while at the same time humiliating the Japanese side for being the equivalent of misbehaving children.

Korea acted maturely and pretty much everyone(not including people like) seem to agree judging by the comments on this site.

The operative word being "here" which in of itself is a fantasy world.

Yes, because everyone knows that Japan enjoys overwhelming support in its territorial claims by foreigners(end sarcasm). You truly live in a fantasy world.

This is what I mean by "fantasy world". Why is their visit to Ulluengdo (not Takeshima btw) would cause such nuisance that they need to be banned?

Because Korea is a sovereign nation with its own government and law and can ban entry to anyone it wants to. Those three politicians openly announced their intention to cause trouble, its only fitting that they were denied entry.

Now tell me, why did the Japanese government ban entry to a Korean enka singer from entering Japan? Thats far more immature and insane then what the Korean government did to these three Japanese imbeciles. Hypocrites, don’t you just love em?

A: Because there are tons of Korean nutjobs so much so that their own government admitted they cannot control their violent behavior.

The nut jobs would be those three Japanese politicians trying to test the goodwill of the country they are visiting.

And if you have the audacity to claim that it's hurting Japan's image. (Facepalm)

Most of the foreigners on this site are laughing at Japan. Most of the comments on Korean sites find this incident humorous. Especially the part where Korean officers told the three that they would be spending the night in the same room with illegal Chinese immigrants, the three went back to Japan shortly IMMEDIETLY afterwards. Even the Japanese government is blacking this incident from the media because its humiliating. They even told the three not to go through with the plan because they knew it was stupid. Only the uyoku dantai seemed to support this incident and we all know what kind of people they are.

can we refuse them entry here? only a few doddering old buffons or braindead idiots would listen to them anyway

I say we put this two numbskull governments (Japan and Korea) in a room and let them duke it out.

39 people willingly residing on a rock is "insane" by anyt world standards. PERIOD.

In related news, one ferry company is now prohibing any Japanese national from boarding their ship. http://mainichi.jp/select/world/europe/news/20110804k0000m030135000c.html

Two people live on the island. The other 37 are coast guards and police men who guard it from illegal encroachment by Japanese vessels. Hardly insane, its called maintaining soverignty and is the reason why Korea controls the island rather than Japan.

I-N-S-A-N-E!

Whats insane is creating a holiday to celebrate an island you can't even set foot on. Takeshima day is a delicious irony.

Whats insane is creating a holiday to celebrate an island you can't even set foot on. Takeshima day is a delicious irony.

Exactly. These two idiot governments are INSANE.

As for Treaty of Peace with Japan, the territory etc. handed over to the territory and South Korea that Japan abandons by the end of the war agreement of WW2 have been decided. South Korea broke Treaty of Peace with Japan, and occupied Takeshima.

The US allowed Korea to occupy the island after the war. If Korea broke some imaginary law when they occupied it, then why didn't the US tell Korea to leave?

Japan was judged in Tokyo war crimes tribunal. Then, how does the crime of South Korea that broke a treaty become it?How does the crime to which 45 person bloodshed and 3000 people or more are abducting confined by the process of the occupation become it?

What? Exactly what fictional history book did you read? Korea did not kill 45 Japanese people and then abduct 3000 more. You live in a fantasy world.

Moreover, there is no description "Dokto" in the history book that South Korea presents. Because it is a name that "Syngman Rhee" named after WW2. As for "Dokto" of the old document that South Korea means, the possibility of another island that is not "Liancourt Rocks" is higher.

Rhee did not coin the term Dokdo. Korea had many names for Dokdo including Sokdo. But thats besides the point, just look at the word Takeshima. Takeshima means bamboo island. There is no bamboo on Dokdo/Takeshima. There never was any bamboo.

How the South Korean fabricated the history, "History in 5000 Korean" and "The kendo and the ninja are South Korea origins", etc. are how much.

Typical 2ch conspiracy theory by lonely men who spend their entire lives on the internet complaining about foreigners destroying the economy. Korea does not care about Kendo or ninja and does not claim them as Korean origin. I remember how you guys got so upset that Koreans were "stealing" Judo because Koreans pronounced it Yudo rather then Judo. What a sad bunch of people you guys are.

I regret the thing that this journalist is cheated by the lie "Severe colonialization" very much. If magic that doubles the population exploiting by the draconian rule, and murdering it is found, the South Korean will be able to take Nobel prize.

Your English is terrible and I have no idea what you just said.

LOL. Do these morons actually believe the farce of Japanese claims on these islands that Imperial Japan 'discovered' these islands terra nullis in 1905??? Yes I'm sure the Koreans who have been living on Ullungdo have never dared to 'discover' the islets that are within plain site from their homes. What a joke these morons are. What's pathetic is that these racist retards are actually voted into office in Japan. Why aren't Goebel's grandchildren politicians in Germany again???

The Liberal Democratic Party WAS better before Abe kicked the moderates out!

Only Japan disputes the claim, not SK. I don't see Japan suggesting it and China go to the ICJ over Senkaku... do you? Now why would that be, I wonder

I believe SK disputes the claim through their protests and actions, most notably by the recent action to prohibit three lawmakers from entering Korean soil. As for Senkaku, since Japan administers the island, shouldn't China be the ones suggesting it settle the dispute through ICJ? This hasn't taken place. Now why would that be, I wonder? (Think hard, smith)

Absolutely meaningless when you forget the fact that Japan does not intend to abide by the ICJ court rulings in such disputes

Stupid comment. The said case falls under compulsory jurisdiction under contentious case in which Japan and Australia agrees to abide by the ICJ decision. You're not reading, again.

You mean once Japan bothers to take this case to court?

Japan is more than willing to take this to the court. It's Korea that's refusing. You're not reading, again.

A note verbale? Lol, you mean a meaningless document that is unsigned by the Japanese government? A note verbale is todays equivalent to sending a twitter message to some Korean politician urging Korea to take it court. I can't believe you take note verbales seriously.

Apparently, Korea does take it seriously to a point where Korean government issues a counter note verbale. It's an official correspondence no matter how you want to twist it.

If the Japanese government was even the least bit confident about winning in court, then they would have issued a formal request signed by the Japanese government urging Korea to take the case to court. In stead you have a moronic note verbale that was written 50 years ago. Great attempt by Japan huh?

You're not reading. It's sent every year. http://www.chosunonline.com/news/20050321000051

Typical nigelboy logic here. If those three stooges were allowed into Korea, it would not strengthen Japanese claims in the least. Those three were denied entry due to being a security risk to themselves as well as a public nuisance. Not because the Korean government was afraid of them, thats completely laughable.

Japan doesn't need to strengthen her claim for Korea's claim is already weak. If three unknown lawmakers can't visit a territory recognized by Japan as that of Korea (Ulluengdo) because of security concerns or considers their presence as "nuisance", it basically is stating that Korea is a immature nation as a whole.

Just like how Japan refused to take Korea to court over Dokdo in 50 years?

Since when did Japan refused to take Korea to court over Dokdo? How about NEVER. When Korean government officially states at any time they want to settle this matter in the court is when you can claim that Korea is not afraid to go to the court.

You die!

Shouldn't that be:

Die!

For obvious reasons everybody dies, one day or another...

The question is, how, where and when will they die......

If that was a threat then I'd like to hear (read) suggestions on how to go about it.

How 'bout.....

Pushing them into a huge meat grinder.

Setting them on fire?

Let's watch Saw 1 through 6 for more ideas..,

Nigelboy: "Nah. It's exactly what these lawmakers hoped for. A nationalistic drama queen reaction from all levels (Korean citizens, lawmakers, buereucrats, and the President himself)."

No kidding! They're pulling on their li'l winkies as grand act of masturbation will fall on deaf ears, for the most part. Nothing in SK has changed by these dimwits visiting the airport lavatories, but for Japan they look more the morons than ever. You want to talk drama queen? fine, let's say that Japan has taken the usual 'tarento' road in stepping on the stage -- sucking badly and embarrassing the nation.

smithinjapan; Ummm... the article?

The article does not state they nor their relatives were "involved in the rape of Nanking among other atrocities" as you stated.

"Ah, so you can't answer. No surprise. It was more of a redundant question to point out your ultra-right stance on the issue. "

What in the hell does the Nanking incident have any relevance to this issue.

"No, they flat out said they are visiting as lawmakers who want to 'express anger'. I truly am sorry that this is difficult for you to comprehend. I do understand you are terribly embarrassed, but why ask the same question again and again to make yourself look even more the fool? They are not visiting as tourists... they are visiting as politicians bent on causing trouble. They were therefore rightly banned, and now the l'il boys are coming back to Japan, tail between legs, having accomplished nothing but embarrassing Japan on the world stage and further proving that what is SK is is SK. I am honestly laughing at how pathetic these men are."

It doesn't matter if they are lawmakers or whether the want to express anger, they went on their on time on their own free will with no business activities in S.Korea therefore they are classified as tourists under commonly accepted immigration laws around the rest of the world.

I wish the nationalistic inspired people of both sides keep raising their voice at every single inch of differences to a higher level at each other, the rift between Republic of Korea and Japan shall never reconciliation over those' isles dispute' and 'history views of Korean colonization by japan' etc. Since the US-Japan-ROK alliance was a threat and disstability to the east asia security, it was essential for everyone to do their duty to screw up this 'collaborations'! That 'gang 3' is definately not NATO of north east asia but like the Indian-Pakistan relationship! Awesome!

just-a-guy; It was just a political 'little show' by the LDP to draw people's attention, they are nothing keen to demonstrate Japan's stance over those isles!

You are absolutely correct but the S.Koreans made of fool of themselves by blowing completely out of proportion. The LDP should be writing a thank you note for giving them free publicity. Extra points to the Korean immigration and Korean ministry of foreign affairs not to mention the present Korean administration for making a complete and utter fools of themselves showing how backward a society they are.

I concede that I really dislike the nationalist LDP politicians and I wish they would stop causing pointless trouble over Takeshima/Dokdo...whatever the history is, its in SK's hands now, and nothing short of a pointless war is going to change that.

That said, I find the South Korean (over-) reaction unseemly...nah, disgusting. Fighting nationalism with even more extreme blind nationalism. Do the three old jerks really pose any threat to the South Korean nation or their claims on the rocks? No. Its just the typical SK nationalism drama queen routine, over-sensitive and insecure. They should have let the three old nutballs go and have their feckless little sob party (on an island that isn't even Dokdo). It wouldn't have changed anything to let them in...except to demonstrate that Korea is a mature, secure country that values free speech and peaceful expression.

I'm surprised so many here on this board are defending the Korean response. Think about it: THREE Japanese dinosaur opposition hacks look like idiots--but on the other hand, MANY more Koreans in the government and the mobs look foolish and unstable for rising (sinking) to the provocation.

The whole chaos has nothing to do with 'expression of hard feelings' to the others. The main point is 'a race of escalating nationalistic hostility at each other' between Japan and South Korea as usual they love to express their frustartion to each other, this is very constructive to screw up the 'Gang3' allainces, well done for both sides! Keep going!

Come on YuriOtani. This entire thing is a political stunt.

They KNEW they were going to get denied entry, pushed it a tiny little bit, but not enough to get arrested, then magically decided to go back to Japan, with all of Japan watching them.

Once they arrive in Japan, they will start spinning some insane rhetoric against South Korea.

Anyone not seeing this is blind.

If they were really intent on getting in, they would have a phalanx of lawyers accompanying them, and they would not give up, safe in the knowledge that they were in the right.

Did they do this?

NO.

Their stunt complete, they just legged it back to Japan to kick off the #southkoreaisbad machine.

Standard behaviour.

TimeiClic, never said it was not a political stunt. It is so they can get votes from the dopey. The problem is South Korea played into their plan. Sighs, I have been to Korea and did you know they treated me like dirt? Told my sacho would rather be fired than go back. The Koreans act like perceptual victims as well as these clowns and ones like them.

The three politicans were nothing but trouble makers. The Korean government has every right to ban entry. When in Rome, do as the Romans. When in Korea, do as the Koreans or get deported. Korea is not being immature here, other countries deny entrance to trouble makers. Japan should quit playing the victim, all it is doing is making them look bad. Its funny how most of the comments here are criticizing the Japanese side.

We settled the ICJ argument a few months ago. You ran with your tail between your legs. The fact that you still preach it obviously indicates that you either have a very short and selective memory or that you are a liar who believes no one has no idea how the ICJ works

Sorry Vg866. You initially claimed that Japan only became a signatory to "Declarations Recognizing the Jurisdiction of the Court as Compulsory" in 2007 because the judge consisted of a Japanese national. This was proven false. Secondly, you went off about wording of the declarations as being not actually honoring the jurisdiction which still puzzles me this day. Then you went off about "binding arbitration" under ICJ when I specifically pointed out that such avenue does not exist under ICJ.

The declaration is simple.

"I have the honour, by direction of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, to declare on behalf of the Government of Japan that, in conformity with paragraph 2 of Article 36 of the Statute of the International Court of Justice, Japan recognizes as compulsory ipso facto and without special agreement, in relation to any other State accepting the same obligation and on condition of reciprocity, the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice, over all disputes arising on and after 15 september 1958 with regard to situations or facts subsequent to the same date and being not settled by other means of peaceful settlement.

This declaration does not apply to disputes which the parties thereto have agreed or shall agree to refer for final and binding decision to arbitration or judicial settlement.

This declaration does not apply to any dispute in respect of which any other party to the dispute has accepted the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice only in relation to or for the purpose of the dispute; or where the acceptance of the Court's compulsory jurisdiction on behalf of any other party to the dispute was deposited or notified less than twelve months prior to the filing of the application bringing the dispute before the Court.

This declaration shall remain in force for a period of five years and thereafter until it may be terminated by a written notice.

I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to Your Excellency the assurances of my highest consideration."

Perhaps your buddy MASSWIPE could explain the bolded part above for you are the only person who interepreted it as " it (Japan) is not willing to abide by any ICJ deliberation that does not rule in their favor."

America is a free country too.

Mark - this must be some new and unusual definition of the word "free" that you are using here.

With Guantanamo, the Office of Homeland Security and the Patriot Act firmly in place, I don't see much free about it.

They are total idiots.

Exactly. These two governments are childish idiots and their form of diplomacy won't work.

A cultural level is the same as North Korea. They are the people of low-level.

Actually, I'd say these two governments childishly bickering are of a low-level.

Koreans look foolish here?

Yes. Very much so. You even supported it by stating that 39 people reside on the rock.

Let's review. Your government basically admitted that they can't control the Dokdo nutjobs. In other words, your country has a lot of them prone to violence.

Thats funny, I could have sworn most of the comments here are ridiculing the maturity level of Japan

The operative word being "here" which in of itself is a fantasy world.

Three trouble makers visit a FOREIGN country, and the country decides to ban them because they are a nuisance. Sounds perfectly legitimate to me. This is only hurting Japans image.

This is what I mean by "fantasy world". Why is their visit to Ulluengdo (not Takeshima btw) would cause such nuisance that they need to be banned?

A: Because there are tons of Korean nutjobs so much so that their own government admitted they cannot control their violent behavior.

And if you have the audacity to claim that it's hurting Japan's image. (Facepalm)

My point is that you shouldn't refer to "judicial settlement" in the declaration as that coming from ICJ. As I noted in the previous post, there are other methods of "judicial settlements" from other Permanent International Court organs.

Thats YOUR excuse. You are the one who brought up compulsory recognition of the ICJ in the previous debate, not me. You brought it up, I shot it to the ground by mentioning the special condition Japan included. After being proven wrong, you then switch the argument to special agreements. What a gigantic waste of time. You are clearly in denial mode.

Again, you missed the part about the other methods of "judicial settlements". Those are simple fact that you are denying. No. It's about contentious case in which both countries abide by the jurisdiction and decision of ICJ. There are two ways in which this can happen in this case which is Korea agreeing to a special agreement to Japan to agree to settle the dispute and abide by the jurisdiction and decision of ICJ or Korea signing the declaration. Korea has in the past rejected the former in the past and it appears Korea won't sign the declaration so the logical conclusion is that Korea is too scared to settle this matter via ICJ.

Once again, you are the one who brought up compulsory recognition of the ICJ. You were trying to use it to make up some ridiculous story about how Korea is too scared to go to the ICJ. I provided a simple yet easy to understand translation of the condition included in Japans draft which indicated that Japan was not willing to listen to the court in disputes involving judicial settlement. In other words, Japan was openly admitting to its cowardice. That’s when you decided flip flop into special agreements.

Nigelboy, what was the purpose of you bringing up compulsory recognition? Were you intentionally trying to waste both of our time or are you simply too stubborn to admit that you were wrong and that you needed something to fall back on? Are you that desperate to continue an argument you do not have the slightest chance of winning?

For a country that supposedly aren't afraid to take this to ICJ, Korea and her citizens sure do spend quite a lot of money and effort to appeal to the world that "Dokdo is ours" doesn't it?

As if Japan doesn’t? What about all those idiotic textbooks that claim that an island that Japanese cannot even set foot on somehow belongs to them? Or MOFAs campaign to promote Takeshima? What about right wing Japanese politicians and their fan base who drive around Tokyo in their gas guzzling black vans waging propaganda war? What about Takeshima day? Oh the cruel irony of creating a holiday where people celebrate an island that they cant even visit.

Dokdo riders, Dokdo banners in sporting events, Dokdo concerts, Dokdo advertisement in newspapers, Dokdo racers, Dokdo stickers, Dokdo license plates, etc. From a person who aren't familiar with the issue, these activities seem like Korea doesn't own it. I mean, you don't see Japan doing this kind of wasted world appeal in regards to Senkaku.

That’s not a waste of money, stuff like that actually generates money, in fact its great for the economy. Dokdo merchandise is no different from patriotic merchandise in other countries. Dokdo merchandise isn’t about the island itself, its about pride or in laymen terms- supporting the home team. No different then buying a jersey of your countries football team.

All you’re doing is nitpicking over something trivial and pointless that I can’t help but laugh. Seriously, you are making a fuss over dokdo stickers. I can tell you are very bitter over this entire incident. You claim that Japanese do not obsess over this incident but you being here says otherwise. You must feel like a huge victim every time you see a smiling Korean buying a lovely Dokdo T-shirt and chartering a ship ride to the island. Meanwhile you’re stuck in Japan and all you can do is grovel. Poor Nigelboy.

By Korea taking this issue to ICJ and winning is much more effective don't you think?

That makes absolutely no sense. Korea already controls the islands. Korea doesn’t need to request Japan go to court because she has already won. It is Japan who believes the battle isnt over when in reality it is. If Japan wants the island, then they should be the ones requesting a special agreement.

If the Japanese government was truly confident with its claims, then they would be demanding Korea take the case to the ICJ every single time the dispute flares up, multiple times a year in fact in order to make Korea look bad each and every time they refuse.

Instead, you have only two measly attempts by the Japanese government in 1954 and 1962 to take the case to court. The Korean government was in a state of near anarchy in 1954 and 1962, hence the convenient timing by the Japanese government. Japan hasn’t requested Korea take the case to court in nearly 50 years because it knows it will lose. The Japanese government knows full well that the ICJ will side in favor of Korea. The best they can do is publish warped history books claiming that the island belongs to them when they cant even set foot on it. Not even the LDP at its most nationalistic in recent years made the attempt. The Koizumi government was willing to piss off its neighbors by visiting Yasukuni and denying multitudes of warcrimes but refused to take Korea to court over the island because they knew who would win. Koizumi made a big fuss over the island but wouldn’t go any further then mere words. Just goes to show you how confident the Japanese government really is with this issue.

You die!

Wow, some serious intelligence there.

Well, that's Korean culture for you in a nutshell.

Sorry Edano, but what is regrettable is that three right-wing nut jobs who want to re-write history have made Japan look foolish in the area of foreign affairts/diplomacy once again. What unbridled arrogance -- to demand entry to a country so they can gain media attention for Japan's claims. And what is equally as regrettable is that the DPJ-led government feels forced to defend them. Japan is totally clueless.

Nah. It's exactly what these lawmakers hoped for. A nationalistic drama queen reaction from all levels (Korean citizens, lawmakers, buereucrats, and the President himself).

smithinjapan, the three "lawmakers" returning to Japan was the smartest thing they could have done. If South Korea would have arrest them it would of caused real problems. The government of Japan would of been forced to do something. Having them turned around still might force the government to do something. Since they have returned to Japan their 15 minutes of fame is over and they have reelection material. Any one dopey to vote for them would love this last stunt. It is a pity we have gone to plastic or eco bags. Paper bags to sent to these three "gentlemen" are so scarce these days.

So are we hating on the lawmakers because they're the descendents of so-called "war criminals," or because of the nature surrounding their visits?

Why are people to quick to stop at the history of the islands during WWII and the highly disputed laws of today, as if there isn't anymore to it?

Nigelboy

How about a third choice? Korea agrees Japan's request to settle the dispute via ICJ instead of spending countless hours and money all over the world shouting "Dokdo is ours!!!"??

We settled the ICJ argument a few months ago. You ran with your tail between your legs. The fact that you still preach it obviously indicates that you either have a very short and selective memory or that you are a liar who believes no one has no idea how the ICJ works.

Japan is scared of going to the ICJ with Korea, not the other way around. The last time the Japanese government requested Korea go to the ICJ was in 1962, around the exact same time South Korean government collapsed and was taken over by a military coup. Korea in 1962 didn't have a fully functioning government, it couldn't go to the ICJ even if it wanted to. The ICJ would rule overwhelmingly in favor with Korea in 2011. Korea has occupied, maintained and administered the territory for the last couple of decades as, the ICJ sees no reason to change this. Sovereignty is 9/10ths of the law. But thats besides the point, the ICJ won't solve a thing. Japan refuses any ICJ deliberation that goes against it as if it never happened. Korea sees no point in going to the ICJ over islands it already controls and the rest of the world acknowledges as Korean controlled against a country that states in written document that it is not willing to abide by any ICJ deliberation that does not rule in their favor. Japan is the coward here.

Have to love the overwhelming Japan scolding on a rather trivial issue.

...-nida

Because, Nigelboy, Korea has no interest in acceding to any request from Japan regarding this matter

Why? I think by Korea winning the ICJ over Japan would do be much more credible then those Dokdo riders and Dokdo advocates passing leaflets and sending out advertisement in major newspapers to those who don't care.

sovereign states are in no way subordinate to the ICJ

Certain states do in fact consider ICJ jurisdiction and decision to be binding and compulsory.

and the one country (the USA) that could potentially coerce Korea into accepting Japan's request won't do so for fear of offending a key ally in Asia.

U.S. never entered in my equation. You again overestimate the U.S. influence in this area.

and possession is nine-tenths of the law

What law?

But I'm sure the "magnificent obsession" of the bureaucrats at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding Dokdo/Takeshima will continue indefinitely. Stubborn bunch they are indeed.

Foreign Ministry hasn't done anything for a long time.

And by the way Nigelboy, if your beloved Japanese people, your most favorite people in the world by far, generally don't care about the status of Dokdo/Takeshima, then why do you?

I think you have me all wrong there. I'm only responding because of the continuos absurd behavior of the SK counterparts regarding this issue.

This is coming from the same guy who interpret the ICJ with lies? I remember you making up all sort of whacked out interpretations of the law even though it directly contradicted the English within them. Go read the document, I mean actually read it rather than skimming it. The entire passage of the document(compulsory recognition) does not apply to court cases where-

This declaration does not apply to disputes which the parties thereto have agreed or shall agree to refer for final and binding decision to arbitration or judicial settlement.

Now since you apparently struggle to grasp simple English, let me baby step you into understanding this important sentence. The statement "This declaration" is self evident and referring to compulsory recognition of the ICJ by Japan, in other words the entire document they signed. This is immediately followed by "does not apply to disputes which the parties thereto have agreed or shall agree to refer for final and binding decision to arbitration or judicial settlement".

What exactly does this portion mean? Its means that the declaration they signed does not APPLY to court cases where both parties have agreed to settle the dispute using arbitration or judicial settlement. What is arbitration? Arbitration is nothing more than judicial methods to the settlement of international disputes. What is Judicial settlement? Rather than giving you a textbook definition, why don't I give you an example of a Judicial settlement- THE ICJ ITSELF. The ICJ is a judicial settlement.

In other words, the statement

This declaration does not apply to disputes which the parties thereto have agreed or shall agree to refer for final and binding decision to arbitration or judicial settlement.

Can be translated as "We recognize the ICJ as compulsory/mandatory, except for disputes where both sides agree to use to the ICJ to settle a dispute".

What this means is that if Japan were to go to the International court with Korea, and Japan were to lose. Japan would simply refuse to acknowledge the courts decision. Thus making any court case with Japan meaningless. Thats why Korea sees no point in going to court. Because its meaningless. And thats why Japan is the coward here, not Korea. It also explains why Japan hasn't requested Korea take the case to court in nearly 50 years.

Now was that so difficult to understand?

You are correcting me on stuff I did not say. It’s a typical tactic I noticed that you frequently employ to make it seem like you have the upper hand. I referred to the ICJ as a judicial settlement. I merely gave the definition of arbitration. Quit mixing the two.

My point is that you shouldn't refer to "judicial settlement" in the declaration as that coming from ICJ. As I noted in the previous post, there are other methods of "judicial settlements" from other Permanent International Court organs.

The statement bluntly states that the entire document the Japanese government signed does not apply to disputes where the ICJ(judicial settlement) agree to settle a dispute. Is it so difficult for you to understand? Or are you going to deny this simple fact?

Again, you missed the part about the other methods of "judicial settlements". Those are simple fact that you are denying.

Wait a minute, so now its about special agreements? I thought the entire reason why you brought up compulsory recognition of the ICJ in the previous article was because you foolishly assumed that Korea was too scared to join? Why the hell did you bring up compulsory recognition of the ICJ in the first place if you planned on back tracking? You are getting more and more desperate

No. It's about contentious case in which both countries abide by the jurisdiction and decision of ICJ. There are two ways in which this can happen in this case which is Korea agreeing to a special agreement to Japan to agree to settle the dispute and abide by the jurisdiction and decision of ICJ or Korea signing the declaration. Korea has in the past rejected the former in the past and it appears Korea won't sign the declaration so the logical conclusion is that Korea is too scared to settle this matter via ICJ.

For a country that supposedly aren't afraid to take this to ICJ, Korea and her citizens sure do spend quite a lot of money and effort to appeal to the world that "Dokdo is ours" doesn't it? Dokdo riders, Dokdo banners in sporting events, Dokdo concerts, Dokdo advertisement in newspapers, Dokdo racers, Dokdo stickers, Dokdo license plates, etc. From a person who aren't familiar with the issue, these activities seem like Korea doesn't own it. I mean, you don't see Japan doing this kind of wasted world appeal in regards to Senkaku.

By Korea taking this issue to ICJ and winning is much more effective don't you think?

39 people living on Dokdo is not a foolish act, its called demonstrating and defending sovereignty

39 people willingly residing on a rock is "insane" by anyt world standards. PERIOD.

In related news, one ferry company is now prohibing any Japanese national from boarding their ship. http://mainichi.jp/select/world/europe/news/20110804k0000m030135000c.html

I-N-S-A-N-E!

Isn't that obvious? By not signing the declaration, Korea, as a nation, does not recognize ICJ's jurisdiction in any disputes. If Korea is not scared, they should have no problems signing the declaration.

Japans declaration openly states that they are not willing to recognize the ICJ in disputes involving other countries. Openly stating something like this makes the Japanese side look terrible in this dispute. Korea doesn’t recognize the ICJ? What about special agreements then? Why is Japan so scared to draft a special agreement with South Korea? If the Japanese government was even the least bit confident about winning this case(in the ICJ),then they would have drafted a special agreement with Korea many decades ago. Its been almost 50 years since Japan lasted attempted to do so. Why the wait? You still haven’t answered this simple question.

Korea fully controls the island and the rest of the world recognizes it as Korean territory. You would assume that the Japanese government would protest this by taking the case to court, but the Japanese government refuses to do so because they know who will win(Korea).

Korea illegally occupies the island. Japan had repeatedly asked for Korea to solve this matter via ICJ.(diplomatic correspondece to this request sent to Korean counterparts on an annual basis).

If Koreas occupation is illegal, then why doesn’t Japan take this case to court? Why didn’t the US protest it? You live in a delusional fantasy world. Japan only requested Korea take the case to the ICJ twice, once in 1954 and once in 1962. 1954 was right after the Korean war where 10% of the population was killed, average GDP per capita was reduced to less than $70 and the newly formed and inexperienced Korean government was too busy handling North Korea. 1962 was during Park Chung Hees coup de tat which over threw the South Korean government and installed him as dictator. The government was in a state of anarchy in 1962. The ICJ and the rest of the world did not even recognize Parks government as legitimate in 1962. Korea couldn’t even go to court even if it wanted to.

The Japanese government intentionally chose 1954 and 1962 because it knew the Korean government could not respond. That was an absolutely disgusting scum bag move by the Japanese government. It would be no different than the South Korean government demanding Japan apologize for its warcrimes and pay compensation during the Earthquake+Tsunami+Fukushima disaster. Actually, what the Japanese government did was far worse than my example. 99.9% of the Japanese population is still alive and the government is still functional. The Korea war took out over 10% of the Souths population, turned it into the poorest country in the world, leveled all infrastructure, factories and more. The 1962 coup de tat rendered the entire Korean government impotent and resulted in Korea being a near anarchy and eventually a military dictatorship(which is ironically against International justice).

Korea ignores it but on numerous occasions, they tend to react their displeasure every time Japan touches the issue of Takeshima (textbook, defense papers, etc.) thereby basically acknowledging that there is a dispute.

Korean politicians reacting to Japanese textbooks and defense papers making absurd claims is nothing more than a ploy to win votes. Its no different from right wing Japanese politicians stating that they will take Takeshima back in order to win votes. Those Japanese politicians know full well Japan has no hope of taking the islands back. The more intelligent politicians with experience in law are even aware of who would win in court(korea).

Meanwhile, countless energy, effort, and money is spent on promoting the island ("Dokdo is ours" campaign, expansion of the heliport, failed attempts to grow vegetation, 39 unnessary people residing on the islands, etc) when all this could be settled by winning ICJ. By winning the ICJ case, Korea can proudly claim that "Dokdo" is in fact theirs with a World approval seal while at the same time "sticking it to Japan". It's a win-win situation!!!

That energy, effort and money you speak of actually results in economic growth for South Korea. It employs people and creates products which are sold. Furthermore you claim that those 39 people on the island is unnecessary. That is completely untrue. If the islands belonged to Japan then you can sure as heck bet the Japanese government would install people on the island in order to legitimize their claims. Did you know that in territorial disputes, the country with actual people living and visiting the territory is given a much stronger claim by the ICJ? But of course since Korea is doing it, its completely unreasonable. If Japan does the exact same thing, its because Japan is being perfectly reasonable. Can’t get any more biased then that.

Reminds me of you protesting Korea banning those three Japanese politicians but then negating the fact that Japan has banned multiple people in the past for their political beliefs.

I could of swore Australia filed a suit against Japan in ICJ.

Absolutely meaningless when you forget the fact that Japan does not intend to abide by the ICJ court rulings in such disputes.

I'm sure Japan is more than willing to draft a special agreement once Korea agrees to take this to ICJ.

You mean once Japan bothers to take this case to court?

As I noted above, the said request is relayed via note verbale to Korea on an annual basis.

A note verbale? Lol, you mean a meaningless document that is unsigned by the Japanese government? A note verbale is todays equivalent to sending a twitter message to some Korean politician urging Korea to take it court. I can't believe you take note verbales seriously. You might as well bring up a mayor from some obscure Japanese fish town urging Korea take the case to court on his facebook.

If the Japanese government was even the least bit confident about winning in court, then they would have issued a formal request signed by the Japanese government urging Korea to take the case to court. In stead you have a moronic note verbale that was written 50 years ago. Great attempt by Japan huh?

I believe SK disputes the claim through their protests and actions, most notably by the recent action to prohibit three lawmakers from entering Korean soil.

Typical nigelboy logic here. If those three stooges were allowed into Korea, it would not strengthen Japanese claims in the least. Those three were denied entry due to being a security risk to themselves as well as a public nuisance. Not because the Korean government was afraid of them, thats completely laughable.

As for Senkaku, since Japan administers the island, shouldn't China be the ones suggesting it settle the dispute through ICJ? This hasn't taken place. Now why would that be, I wonder? (Think hard, smith)

Just like how Japan refused to take Korea to court over Dokdo in 50 years? Why didn't Koizumi draft a formal request during his tenure? Why was he willing to visit Yasukuni, support white washing of history books and annoy his neighbors despite a poor economy but couldn't go so far as to draft a formal request on Dokdo? It speaks volumes to how scared the Japanese government really is.

If the Japanese government was confident in its ability to win in court, they would have made an official request each and every year to make the Korean government look bad. Yet here we are, its been nearly 50 years since Japan attempted to take Korea to court. Care to explain why? Do you even know how the ICJ works? Japan would get torn apart in the ICJ.

Stupid comment. The said case falls under compulsory jurisdiction under contentious case in which Japan and Australia agrees to abide by the ICJ decision. You're not reading, again.

That is until the ruling goes against Japans favor. Thats when the Japanese government can simply ignore the ruling entirely. Did you forget about that special condition included in that document already?

Japan is more than willing to take this to the court. It's Korea that's refusing. You're not reading, again.

Which is why Japan has tried so hard these last 50 years to take this case to court? Lol. All you have is one unsigned letter requesting Korea take the case to court in 1962. Nice try Japan, its no wonder why the Korean government doesn't take this case seriously.

Why doesnt the Japanese government of 2011 officially request(government to government) to take this case to court? Is it so hard for them to do this? And why do you continue to ignore this question?

Apparently, Korea does take it seriously to a point where Korean government issues a counter note verbale. It's an official correspondence no matter how you want to twist it.

You still take note verbales seriously? Especially one that was written in 1962?

Koreas government was in a near state of bear anarchy in 1962. The Korean dictatorship that overtook the government wasn't even recognized by the international community and surely not by the ICJ in 1962. Japan did not even normalize relations with said dictatorship until 1965. But thats besides the point, I laugh that you still bring up an insignificant and unsigned piece of paper that was written 50 years ago as if it has any bearing to do with 2011.

Write a letter to your government, demanding that they take Korea to court in 2011. Organize your internet uyoku buddies to help you. Stage a mass protest in order to garner attention(like what you are doing with obasan K-drama). Do all of this and more. Chances are the Japanese government will still ignore you because they know they can't win in court. Do you even know how the ICJ works and who they rule in favor of? The ICJ favors the country who has occupied, administered and demonstrated sovereignty over the territory(all in Koreas favor). They also rule in favor of the country that has occupied the territory for extended period of time(Korea). They rule in favor of the country who has people living on the territory as well as the dominant culture of the territory(Korea). They do not however rule in favor of illegal territorial grabs(Japans 1905 claim).

Its so funny how you preach this ridiculous notion that Korea is scared of going to court yet you have no idea how Japan will win. The Japanese government doesn't know how they will win and neither do Japans top lawyers. Thats why they don't demand Korea take the case to court. The furthest the Japanese government went was appro

Brave enough to approve a looney textbook but not brave enough to take the case to court. Sums up the Japanese government very well. No backbone. Its so funny how uneducated and jobless right wingers who know next to nothing about international law(or getting a job) actually believe Japan stands a chance. Thats clearly not what your government believes.

You're not reading. It's sent every year. http://www.chosunonline.com/news/20050321000051

Link doesn't seem to work. More importantly, its a note verbale. Do we have to go over this already?

Japan doesn't need to strengthen her claim for Korea's claim is already weak. If three unknown lawmakers can't visit a territory recognized by Japan as that of Korea (Ulluengdo) because of security concerns or considers their presence as "nuisance", it basically is stating that Korea is a immature nation as a whole.

Pot calling kettle black? As if Japan doesn't ban political activists from entering? Sorry folks but immature behavior would be openly announcing your intention to visit a country that isn't your home solely to annoy the hospitable people that live there. Remember Nigelboy, Korea belongs to Korea, not to some loud mouth annoying and delusional Japanese politician. Korea banning them from entering was the mature thing to do. Seems like everyone on this site agrees as well.

Since when did Japan refused to take Korea to court over Dokdo? How about NEVER.

How about the fact that Japan hasn't made a serious attempt at taking this case to court in nearly 50 years? Even during Koizumis tenure when he was blowing the horn of nationalism, he still refused to draft an official request to the South Korean government to take this simple matter to court.

When Korean government officially states at any time they want to settle this matter in the court is when you can claim that Korea is not afraid to go to the court.

Korea owns the islands and the rest of the world recognizes it as Korea but you want Korea to take Japan to court? That doesn't make any sense. It should be Japan who should be demanding Korea take this case to court. Too bad your government knows it cant win.

Tell your government to act first. Tell your government to demand Korea take the case to court because apparently the Japanese government is too scared. And while you're at it, please read up on how the ICJ works and who they will side with. If Japanese claims had any merit to them, then the Japanese government would have long made an official request instead of a irrelevant 1962 note verbale.

smithinjapan; They are visiting AS lawmakers, and lawmakers who's grandpappies were involved in the rape of Nanking among other atrocities.

Again source, please.

smithinjapan; Go figure you would defend them. Here's a question: do you think the rape of Nanking occurred?

Has no relevance to the topic whatsoever.

smithinjapan;No, they are not visiting SK on their own time as tourists -- they have flat out said it is to express their anger at SK.

Which they do on their free time on their own free will so yes they are tourists.

What exactly does this portion mean? Its means that the declaration they signed does not APPLY to court cases where both parties have agreed to settle the dispute using arbitration or judicial settlement. What is arbitration? Arbitration is nothing more than judicial methods to the settlement of international disputes. What is Judicial settlement? Rather than giving you a textbook definition, why don't I give you an example of a Judicial settlement- THE ICJ ITSELF. The ICJ is a judicial settlement.

You are so close. But in principle, I basically agree with this statement. However, arbitration is " a form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), is a legal technique for the resolution of disputes outside the courts, where the parties to a dispute refer it to one or more persons (the "arbitrators", "arbiters" or "arbitral tribunal"), by whose decision (the "award") they agree to be bound."

Hence, ICJ does not qualify as arbitration for the cases assign judges.

In some territorial disputes, arbitration via Permanent Court of Arbitration was used to settle such disputes. In other non territorial disputes, other Permanent International Courts (i.e. other judicial settlements) are used.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_court

Can be translated as "We recognize the ICJ as compulsory/mandatory, except for disputes where both sides agree to use to the ICJ to settle a dispute".

Not quite. It's more like "we recognize the jurisdiction of the ICJ as compulsory on disputes with any other states under the same obligation". In other words, if both nations are signatory to the declaration, one party can bring forth a case to the court without special agreement (consent) from another. This is what Australia did to Japan in regards to the whaling dispute. To put it simply, Australia did not need Japan's permission to file this contentious case to ICJ.

What this means is that if Japan were to go to the International court with Korea, and Japan were to lose. Japan would simply refuse to acknowledge the courts decision. Thus making any court case with Japan meaningless. Thats why Korea sees no point in going to court. Because its meaningless. And thats why Japan is the coward here, not Korea. It also explains why Japan hasn't requested Korea take the case to court in nearly 50 years.

Now this is where you let your wild imagination take over.

But let's take a look at your example. If Japan and Korea decides to go to ICJ over this, it would be under a special agreement for contentious case since Korea is NOT a signatory to " "Declarations Recognizing the Jurisdiction of the Court as Compulsory"

http://www.icj-cij.org/jurisdiction/index.php?p1=5&p2=1&p3=2

A contentious case under special agreement, " the judgment is final, binding on the parties to a case and without appeal "

So if Japan loses, they must abide by the court's decision. If Korea loses, they must abide by the court's decision.

".....Since, furthermore, a case can only be submitted to the Court and decided by it if the parties have in one way or another consented to its jurisdiction over the case, it is rare for a decision not to be implemented."

"A State which contends that the other side has failed to perform the obligations incumbent upon it under a judgment rendered by the Court may lay the matter before the Security Council, which is empowered to recommend or decide upon the measures to be taken to give effect to the judgment."

http://www.icj-cij.org/court/index.php?p1=1&p2=6

It's that simple.

Now to get back to "This declaration does not apply to disputes which the parties thereto have agreed or shall agree to refer for final and binding decision to arbitration or judicial settlement" , other nations have very similar verbiage in their declarations as well. Such as

" any dispute in regard to which the parties thereto have agreed or shall agree to have recourse to some other method of peaceful settlement"

This Declaration does not apply" to any dispute in respect of which the parties thereto have agreed or shall agree to have recourse to other means of peaceful settlement for its final and binding decision."

"except in cases where the parties have agreed or shall agree to have recourse to another procedure or to another method of pacific settlement"

etc.

http://www.icj-cij.org/jurisdiction/index.php?p1=5&p2=1&p3=3

So what's the purpose of these statements? It's simple.

What these nations are stating is that if parties agree to settle the dispute in another method(s), they will honor such method(s) and their subsequent binding decision(s) and that ICJ will not be used as an appellate court.

The Japanese also does the “Takeshima Day” as well, they just don't repeat Dokdo over and over again like Korea does but Japan does plenty of Takeshima, Takeshima, Takeshima rantings. So don't make irrelevant arguments. They are essentially arguing over a rich territory which will establish border as well. Fishing is rich, natural gas, and mineral deposits. And yes, nationalistic pride that comes to not wanting another thing taken away from them from the Korean perspective. But really, it's about the potential of the island and the economic significance. Dokdo brings a lot of tourism. Don't just wonder why they are fighting over it... go visit it one day soon OK? Before it becomes some demilitarized zone or something. Japanese do have one very peculiar national trait... they never apologize to anyone for their past atrocities. Ever. Nor do they ever financially compensate any nation over their wartime atrocities. In fact, they don't even acknowledge to this day they did anything wrong. You should see what they still say about the atomic bombs being dropped on them. It's truly bizarre how most Japanese think. They still vehemently feel that they did no wrong. Really. Japan ran around seizing lands that belonged to others and then colonized it through their Nippon form of imperialism. Those lands never belonged to Japan. This also is not acknowledged by Japan. And as others mentioned, Japan has more pressing issues. The politicians and lawmakers should not even be thinking of Takeshima. Korea can just stop sending Kpop groups over to Japan to do concerts. ha ha.

As for Treaty of Peace with Japan, the territory etc. handed over to the territory and South Korea that Japan abandons by the end of the war agreement of WW2 have been decided. South Korea broke Treaty of Peace with Japan, and occupied Takeshima.

Japan was judged in Tokyo war crimes tribunal. Then, how does the crime of South Korea that broke a treaty become it?How does the crime to which 45 person bloodshed and 3000 people or more are abducting confined by the process of the occupation become it?

Moreover, there is no description "Dokto" in the history book that South Korea presents. Because it is a name that "Syngman Rhee" named after WW2. As for "Dokto" of the old document that South Korea means, the possibility of another island that is not "Liancourt Rocks" is higher. How the South Korean fabricated the history, "History in 5000 Korean" and "The kendo and the ninja are South Korea origins", etc. are how much.

I regret the thing that this journalist is cheated by the lie "Severe colonialization" very much. If magic that doubles the population exploiting by the draconian rule, and murdering it is found, the South Korean will be able to take Nobel prize.

Thats YOUR excuse. You are the one who brought up compulsory recognition of the ICJ in the previous debate, not me. You brought it up, I shot it to the ground by mentioning the special condition Japan included. After being proven wrong, you then switch the argument to special agreements. What a gigantic waste of time. You are clearly in denial mode.

You're not reading. Furthermore, you lost the argument.

The reason I brought up compulsory jurisdiction is because as I had mentioned previously, there are two ways in which Korea and Japan can settle this matter via ICJ. The first is a special agreement between Korea and Japan in which both parties agree to the jurisdiction. This was refused by Korean government in the past. Hence, the other alternative is for Korea to declare themselves as a nation to sign the declaration whereby they have no choice but to appear in ICJ if Japan files the suit.

I'll make it simple for you so that even a junior high student could understand.

"This declaration does not apply to disputes which the parties thereto have agreed or shall agree to refer for final and binding decision to arbitration (i.e. Permanent Court of Aribitration) or judicial settlement (i.e. other Permanent International Court organs).

Get this straight. Not all judicial settlements come from ICJ. Is that so hard to understand?

This, along with similar verbiage used by other countries, is essentially stating that if both parties have agreed to settle this matter other than ICJ beforehand, you don't bring the same dispute over to ICJ.

That makes absolutely no sense. Korea already controls the islands

Then what's the rationale for advertising overseas that "Dokdo is ours"?? As I stated previously, a third party person who knows little about the subject will assume that "Dokdo is not yours". The statement, in essence, is advertising to the fact that their is at least a dispute to begin with.

If these Koreans want to "stick it to Japan" and are confident with their claims, they would be encouraging their governments to take this matter to ICJ to end this nonsense.

You brought up compulsory recognition as an attempt to portray Korea as being too scared to go to the ICJ.

Isn't that obvious? By not signing the declaration, Korea, as a nation, does not recognize ICJ's jurisdiction in any disputes. If Korea is not scared, they should have no problems signing the declaration.

That is one of the funniest things I’ve ever heard this week. Korea owns the islands yet you want Korea to take the case to court? Shouldn’t it be the other way around? If Japan has a problem with Korea controlling the islands, then shouldnt Japan be the one trying to get this case to court?

Korea illegally occupies the island. Japan had repeatedly asked for Korea to solve this matter via ICJ.(diplomatic correspondece to this request sent to Korean counterparts on an annual basis). Korea ignores it but on numerous occasions, they tend to react their displeasure every time Japan touches the issue of Takeshima (textbook, defense papers, etc.) thereby basically acknowledging that there is a dispute. Meanwhile, countless energy, effort, and money is spent on promoting the island ("Dokdo is ours" campaign, expansion of the heliport, failed attempts to grow vegetation, 39 unnessary people residing on the islands, etc) when all this could be settled by winning ICJ. By winning the ICJ case, Korea can proudly claim that "Dokdo" is in fact theirs with a World approval seal while at the same time "sticking it to Japan". It's a win-win situation!!!

Japans declaration openly states that they are not willing to recognize the ICJ in disputes involving other countries.

I could of swore Australia filed a suit against Japan in ICJ.

Why is Japan so scared to draft a special agreement with South Korea?

I'm sure Japan is more than willing to draft a special agreement once Korea agrees to take this to ICJ. As I noted above, the said request is relayed via note verbale to Korea on an annual basis.

I dont understand why SKorea refused 3 Japanese politicians to visit Ulleung island. If they are some kind of extremists, rejection is understandable. They are just another politicians. It is a surprise that SKorea refuses the entry if it don't like any persons. I thought SKorea is free country.

Mark Fischerwald; America is a free country too. Yet, it refuses travel, implies no-fly lists, and proscibes entry for people from Iran, Iraq, North Korea, and certain other countries without exceptional permission from Homeland security. Japan does the same thing too, and Korea is not an exception.

The nations you mentioned all do not have diplomatic official relationship or requires a special visa to enter. Homeland security does not go ban entry of every people known to bad mouth the US, they have better things to do. It just show how immature the S.Koreans can be on diplomacy.

I believe they can make an appeal to a Korean civil court for formal explanation with basis of denial for entry by the ministry of foreign affairs and the present administration. If and when the appeal is accepted then the administration would have no choice but to approve entry or the court has no choice but to address the act as obstruction of justice unless of course S.Korea was a totalitarian state ruled by a dictator.

It is just foolish to deny entry just because they speak against the present administration's wishes.

smithinjapan; Hang on... the other day you said they were going as tourists, and after asking a dozen times the same question and refusing to see the answer for what it is you STILL can't understand why they were banned?

I see your head can't compute two concepts at the same time.

No they are not diplomats but they are lawmakers, yes they speak words against the present Korean administration but they are visiting Korea on their own time which make them tourist since they are not doing business in Korea.

Is that so hard to understand?

As for Ulleungdo island it is open for tourists so who is acting like a two-years-old a nation that denies entry of tourist on a whim with no basis or the lawmakers who had done nothing against Korean law to be treated like this in the first place.

South Koreans should also be denied entry here in Japan...they're very overpopulated here...they're just like the North...

Nothing will change under the current circumstances. I can think of only two scenarios in which Japan could get back control of the rocks:

How about a third choice? Korea agrees Japan's request to settle the dispute via ICJ instead of spending countless hours and money all over the world shouting "Dokdo is ours!!!"??

Korea keeps showing that they are not mature enough to be part of international diplomacy. However weird the visitors' agenda is, a developed and democratic nation can handle this without any childish outbursts.

Japan can handle when Korean schoolclasses visting Japan pose with anti-Japanese banners at tourist spots. So Japan wins the trutstworthy game.

Korea, please grow/open up to be the nation you claim to be. You can do it. The world knows what the far right in Japan is like - and they do not have the means to theaten you.

Does that mean that when in the future Seasheperd or Taiji activists will come and say beforehand that they want to express their feeling of anger to the Japanese people, they will be granted entry with no problems?

Yeah. Just like the immigration officers continually allowing Korean citizens from entering Japan to protest Takeshima day at Shimane Prefecture. Or allowing Korean lawmakers to enter Japan whose sole purpose is to protest in front of the Diet building.

The gathering outside the airport gates among Dokdo nuts was "expected". The refusal by Korean immigration officials was "expected". The stupid reasoning among the Korean lawmakers, buerucrats, and the president himself was "expected."

Nothing in SK has changed

Yes smith. Nothing in SK has changed about their hysterical 2 year old tantrum regarding Takeshima.

"I'm going to kill a Japanese person" shouted at the airport.

http://sankei.jp.msn.com/world/news/110801/kor11080111260001-n1.htm

Korea could of chosen a different path by allowing this lawmakers in with a VIP guide to Ullungdo and the Dokdo Museum explaining their position regarding the disputed island in a civilized manner. If they had done so, these unknown lawmakers would of never made the news. Japanese people, in general, don't give a rats a$$ about the islands. Hence, the issue of Takeshima never gets the domestic media coverage it gets unlike the SK counter parts. However, thanks to the SK's citizens' hysterical behavior coupled with her government officials, lawmakers, and the Presidents irrational behavior, Japanese people are reminded once again that Korea is a nation full of hysterical toddlers from top to bottom.

This is too funny

No vg866. What's funny is 39 Koreans living on a rock. What's funny is refusing entry of a Japanese lawmaker whose intention was to visit Ulleungdo (A Korean territory recognized by Japan) What's funny is a three insignificant lawmakers can make Koreans look foolish.

In the Ururun island, there is "Takeshima material pavilion". "Japanese cabinet decision sentence" of Japanese Government has been exhibited here. The South Korean doesn't want to show this to the Japanese. United States garrisoned Japan political adviser Seybold admitted, "Takeshima was a Japanese territory" in November, 1949. It was described to the content of the San Francisco agreement, and 49 countries signed. At this time, "Takeshima was Japanese territory" and the world admitted. However, South Korea is an illegal occupancy in 1952 as for Takeshima. Japan proposes the solution by "International Court of Justice" to South Korea in 1954 and 1962. However, South Korea refused everything. This is true. South Korea is skillful in the mean trick political, doing sports, and all. And, the national flag of the large country such as Japan, the United States, and France is burnt every time there are some events. A cultural level is the same as North Korea. They are the people of low-level.

They are visiting AS lawmakers, and lawmakers who's grandpappies were involved in the rape of Nanking among other atrocities

So?

gifu

Get your facts straightened out, Japan had publicly acknowledge the war atrocities and had paid to every nation in terms of compensation which adds up to $22 billion US dollars in 1960 standards. Japan also forfeited all foreign assets prior to the war. Don't really know how much Germany paid in compensation but Japan certainly paid it's fair share.

"Takeshima was a Japanese territory" in November, 1949. It was described to the content of the San Francisco agreement, and 49 countries signed. At this time, "Takeshima was Japanese territory" and the world admitted. However, South Korea is an illegal occupancy in 1952 as for Takeshima. Japan proposes the solution by "International Court of Justice" to South Korea in 1954 and 1962. However, South Korea refused everything. This is true.

Yes, this is true.

Surely if these Japanese and Korean politicains joined forces they could negotiate a new Middle East peace deal.