Japan rejects South Korean protest over Olympics map

lol please, get off your high horse. Dokdo is administersd by the South Korean government. The only thing that's pathetic here is the JP administration adding a tiny dot on the map to make a territorial claim, which is prohibited under IOC guidelines.

Also, Koreans don't hate the Japanese. They just hate the JP government for continuing to bask in their pre-WWII glory.

Give it a few more decades. As South Korea becomes more influential around the world, these claims will look even more delusional by the international community. Good luck to the hate-filled JP netizens pleading their case.

Japan used the international name for a pair of worthless rocks.

During the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, Korea left Dokdo off of its unified flag. They did so in the spirit of the Olympics.

Good point, but I doubt it was a deliberate act of antagonism by the JOC; they have proven that they aren't nearly smart enough for such sophistry.

During the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, Korea left Dokdo off of its unified flag. They did so in the spirit of the Olympics.

Good point, but I doubt it was a deliberate act of antagonism by the JOC; they have proven that they aren't nearly smart enough for such sophistry.

The root of the island name is "dok" in Korean and "take" in Japanese, sounding alike and thus indicating it was exactly the same pronunciation in ancient times in both Korean and Japanese. Well, what does it tell?

Ask very old ex-Japanese Taiwanese, then ask after-war generations about what Koreans attitude toward Japan, you will know it.

@quercetum

What kind of discriminatory damage did Korea actually suffer from the Japanese during World War II?

Here is an example of how Koreans are being brainwashed.

There is a movie called "Spring on the Peninsula" made in 1941. ( https://youtu.be/T0MiZnCvb7s )

The director of the film is Korean. The owner of the production company is also Korean.

He went to an English language school in Japan.

During his studies, he founded a company called Korea Records.

After graduating from the college, the filmmaker learned the art of cinematography from a Japanese named Yutaka Abe at a Japanese film production company called Nikkatsu.

He then returned to the Korean peninsula and established the Myeongpo Film Company.

He filmed and released "Spring on the Peninsula".

The above is a complete fact that exists with the film.

By the way, how was the above life possible in the terrible society that Koreans claim to have? It is very strange. The equipment for filming would have been very expensive. It seems that he was a man who turned his hobby into a job, but at that time, in 1937, many young Japanese were being sent to war with China and losing their lives. Were the Koreans really treated badly? It seems that Koreans had the freedom to start their own businesses. And this director was educated in English by the Japanese and taught film making skills by the Japanese, right? Why are there facts here that are completely different from the history claimed by the Koreans?

Japan rejects South Korean protest over Olympics map

South Korea rejects Japan protest over comfort women statue.

I wonder if it is time to down grade diplomatic relations with South Korea? Then forbid the Americans from using their bases in Japan to help the South against the North in their civil war. I get tired of all of the crud from Korea. They are not Japans friends.

Many in Japan see themselves as the victims: other people or circumstances are to blame. This is because they lost the war and were traumatized by the atomic bombs. People who have a victim mentality have usually suffered through trauma or hard times, but haven't developed a proper way to cope. As a result, they develop a negative view of life. This is true of Korea, under the oppression of Japan and the same with Japan due to the way WWII ended.

Every time Korea tries to recover and rehabilitate from its past, Japan says "shut up. We don't want to hear it anymore. Here some money. Now go away." Unable to heal, the past resurfaces for Korea and Japan says, "I thought we gave you some money. Go away." This approach obviously does not help the victim but Japan neither realizes nor care. They just don't want the world to hear about it and couldn't care less about Koreans.

Japan and Korea really should be support each other to recover from their past.

Thank you for posting your thought. Nonetheless, please do not ignore the fact the relation between Japan and Taiwan is far from the one between J and SK, and the fact there're many very old people who miss their Japanese days.

I do not mind going into details but what is your thought about the difference between Taiwan and Korea about Japan's ruling .

@reasonandnowisdomnippon, are you kidding? Your comments are the very reason South Korea continues to bring up the past. Japan raped and pillaged across Asia, and that is why at the surrender of World War II, Japan lost the right to claim the island referred to by Korea as Dokdo. Japan is no victim!

Many in Japan see themselves as the victims: other people or circumstances are to blame. This is because they lost the war and were traumatized by the atomic bombs. People who have a victim mentality have usually suffered through trauma or hard times, but haven't developed a proper way to cope. As a result, they develop a negative view of life. This is true of Korea, under the oppression of Japan and the same with Japan due to the way WWII ended.

Every time Korea tries to recover and rehabilitate from its past, Japan says "shut up. We don't want to hear it anymore. Here some money. Now go away." Unable to heal, the past resurfaces for Korea and Japan says, "I thought we gave you some money. Go away." This approach obviously does not help the victim but Japan neither realizes nor care. They just don't want the world to hear about it and couldn't care less about Koreans.

Japan and Korea really should be support each other to recover from their past.

I still call it the Sea of Japan

most normal people do

TrailwalkerToday  12:09 am JST

@reasonandnowisdomnippon, are you kidding? Your comments are the very reason South Korea continues to bring up the past. Japan raped and pillaged across Asia, and that is why at the surrender of World War II, Japan lost the right to claim the island referred to by Korea as Dokdo. Japan is no victim!

Complete nonsense. Imperial Japan "raped and pillaged" across Asia but their military included some 2million Korean soldiers who served willingly. And made use of the Comfort Stations as well.

https://ww2db.com/person_bio.php?person_id=469

The Liancourt Rocks had nothing to do with Japan's surrender in 1945. They were unilaterally taken in 1952 by South Korea when they imposed the Syngman Rhee Line. The one sided action so alarmed the Uniyed States that they advised Japan to request settlement at the ICJ. To date Japan has requested THREE times and each tome South Korea has refused, obviousky because they have no confidence in winning in an objective international forum.

You need to do some reading on WWII history and placement of the "Korean Government in Exile", which existed on an anti-Japan platform to establish the ROK after 1945.

Speaking of Putin, has Russia ever complained about Northern territories which anyone can clearly see

on this map? China on Senkaku which you can find even with naked eyes on this map?

Only Koreans on Takeshima which most of us all can hardly find. Was Takeshima already deleted from the map or what?

Stalin was the leader of the Soviet Union so a change in history would probably mean Putin wouldn't be the leader today. Alter a single moment of history and the whole future changes.

Why? And we don't know for sure, but Putin is in the same Stalin mode.

@reasonandnowisdomnippon, are you kidding? Your comments are the very reason South Korea continues to bring up the past. Japan raped and pillaged across Asia, and that is why at the surrender of World War II, Japan lost the right to claim the island referred to by Korea as Dokdo. Japan is no victim!

I read your comment history, and it is filled with pure hatred towards Korea. I think you need to crack open a book that wasn’t written in Japan and brush up on what happened before, during, and after WWII. Yes, it happened a long time ago, but the effects are still felt today by the few remaining surviving victims and their children.

Korea doesn’t need to go to any court concerning its territory. Have you asked yourself why Japan has not just as easily taken the issue before the courts? I will tell you why, because Japan doesn’t stand a chance of winning. Instead, Japan chooses to antagonize Korea and what boggles my mind play the victim.

Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

@ Mr/ Kipling

Japan should just remind Korea that if it wasn't for the US, British and other foreign troops they would all be worshiping Kim Jung Un.

And someone should just remind Japan if it wasn't for the US, British and other foreign troops they would all be worshiping Putin.

What is the spirit of the Olympics which you all are questioning in many other threads

There is a lot of Korean bashing going on, but if you lay out the facts, it sure looks like Korea is the bigger “person” in this discussion. During the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, Korea left Dokdo off of its unified flag. They did so in the spirit of the Olympics.

Well said. Japan is petty and in denial. The island is in dispute.

1954 year we lost our Island.

WW2 ended, Japan surrender to USA.

Our Army and Navy was gone. Disarmed.

No way to stand up for our interest no way to defend our land.

That's when South Korea took Takeshima! No fight! No resistance! Japan was already defeated and down, when S. Korea came! To kick Japan while it's down, to behave in the same way hyenas would behave.

S. Korea knows they are wrong... Why?

They refuse to take it to court, WHO, USA. The world would side with Japan base on facts. Under the law the island belong to Japan. That's why S. Korea is sooo upset Japan won't say its Korean or recognized as such.

Why would we do that Korean government? ? ? Reward you for bad behavior? ?

Your so nasty to Japan.

Back out of aggrements.

Dont appreciate what we've.

Yet you want a island for being nasty? Going back on agreements?

That's how spoiled S. Korea has become. They expect to be nasty and still get positive results in return.

I suppose that it is out of the question to make them jointly owned by both countries?

Japan should just remind Korea that if it wasn't for the US, British and other foreign troops they would all be worshiping Kim Jung Un.

Korea has enough reason to hate Japan after suffering under a brutal occupation for many years. I remember when a friend of mine in Korea, now in his 80s, showed me a big scar on his head. As a child, he was hit over the head by a Japanese kempetai soldier for speaking Korean--his own language! Just one incident.

Something that happened almost eighty years ago is not a reason to hate someone's grandchildren or an entire country.

"These issues still are relevant because Japan is still trying to claim Dokdo, comfort women are still alive, and the same companies that used forced laborers are still around."

and the Murayama Statement, the Kono Statement and the 1965 treaty are all still around. Takeshima belongs to Japan.

I don’t see a reason for disputing or long discussions. Of course the Koreans have occupied it and have to give it back. They have one-sided defined the Syngman Rhee Line in 1952, including the Takeshima group of islands, just straight drawn with a ruler and declared own maritime area. And in 1954 their coast guard set it into practice, occupied the area and stationed military equipped forces who even fired on a patrolling Japanese coast guard ship. That incidental attack of course also marked the until now obvious real occupation.

Brutal occupation yet you keep hearing from the J. posters "we didn't invade Korea." We just oppressed them but we didn't invade.

I don't see how Japan can claim it now. SK has structures, tours, police, cell towers, etc. on those islands. Time to let go.

It is strange to think that these kind of problems were huge things in the past, supposedly tainting the true spirit of the games.

This time it is just a mere detail without importance for an event completely surrounded by controversy, scandals, corruption and opposed by both the the population host country and health care specialists of the world.

Korea has enough reason to hate Japan after suffering under a brutal occupation for many years. I remember when a friend of mine in Korea, now in his 80s, showed me a big scar on his head. As a child, he was hit over the head by a Japanese kempetai soldier for speaking Korean--his own language! Just one incident.

@Eisenach you are right Japan did conquer Korea, which is why the Korean people are disputing issues like Dokdo, comfort women, and forced labor.

These issues still are relevant because Japan is still trying to claim Dokdo, comfort women are still alive, and the same companies that used forced laborers are still around.

Laughable. It looks that Koreans got tantrum pointing at what only Koreans can see on the map.

In this case, it is South Korea that is politicizing Olympic (just like South Korean Soccer team did the same in 2012 London Olympic, remember?) pointing at what normal people cannot locate with normal eyesight,

Can't it be a convenient excuse to boycott the Tokyo Olympics? The North has already decided so. Many people in Japan would welcome the full absence (but that's why Korea is reluctant)

MOST people in Japan - and many around the world - would welcome the Japan-hating Koreas absence, genocidal Chinas absence, and of course totalitarian dictatorship Russias absence from the proposed Games. I will add awful Myanmar to that list but no-one would even notice their absence lol!

If your neighbor tried to claim something that is not there’s would you object to it?

and if your neighbor suggests- as Japan has-take the dispute to court?

It is typical behaviour of shameless Japanese politicians

cool blog Lee, everyone knows that SK is in the wrong and all misinformation attempts are futile

Someone remind me when has Japan thrown temper tantrum among Int'l community for calling Tsushima

Strait Korea Strait

https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%9C%9D%E9%AE%AE%E6%B5%B7%E5%B3%A1#/media/%E3%83%95%E3%82%A1%E3%82%A4%E3%83%AB:Korea_Strait.png

Can't it be a convenient excuse to boycott the Tokyo Olympics? The North has already decided so. Many people in Japan would welcome the full absence (but that's why Korea is reluctant)

It is typical behaviour of shameless Japanese politicians.

Feb 6, 2018

South Korea's foreign ministry reaffirmed Tuesday that it will not use a unification flag showing its eastern islets of Dokdo during the upcoming Winter Olympics, out of respect for the International Olympic Committee's recommendation to not politicize sports events.

This comes after Japan expressed concerns over the hoisting of the Dokdo-showing flag during a tune-up game of the joint inter-Korean women's ice hockey team, which was held in Incheon, west of Seoul, on Sunday.

http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20180206000770

The territorial claim of the Japanese government on Takeshima is comical. Japanese people know what 'Takeshima' literally means: bamboo island 竹島, but there is no bamboo in Takeshima.

But, there is another small island called 'bamboo island' (Jukdo 竹島 in Korean) at 2 km (1 mile) east of Ulleungdo. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jukdo_(island)

You may see those abundant bamboos there: https://wayfaringflaneur.com/2018/09/02/jukdo%EC%A3%BD%EB%8F%84-bamboo-island/

Japanese government never mentions this real bamboo island (Jukdo in Korean) when they explain their territorial claim. They intentionally omit it, or obfuscate it with Ulleungdo. For example:

https://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/takeshima/position.html

https://www.mofa.go.jp/a_o/na/takeshima/page1we_000057.html

Long times ago, Japanese fishermen certainly recognized the existence of Jukdo 竹島 near Ulleungdo island. At that time, Takeshima did not designate the Liancourt Rocks, but Jukdo to Japanese fishermen. Both Jukdo and Ulleungdo are now Korean territories that Japan and the other countries acknowledge. Now the Japanese government claims the territorial right with a wrong name or a wrong location.

There are 7 Japanese islands called the same name Takeshima (竹島 bamboo island) along the coast of Japan, and all of them have bamboo:

https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%AB%B9%E5%B3%B6_(%E6%9B%96%E6%98%A7%E3%81%95%E5%9B%9E%E9%81%BF)

But only one exception is the remotely-located Liancourt Rocks,called 'Dokdo' in Korean, which literally means a rock island. It is a consistency problem. Koreans knew that it consisted of rocks, and therefore bamboo could not grow there. The so-called bamboo island without any bamboo was just an imaginary island for Japan to forcefully occupy Dokdo in 1905. Now they still shout "the bamboo island without any bamboo is a Japanese territory".

good let SK seethe more over superior japanese logic

There is a lot of Korean bashing going on, but if you lay out the facts, it sure looks like Korea is the bigger “person” in this discussion. During the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, Korea left Dokdo off of its unified flag. They did so in the spirit of the Olympics.

The South Korean coastguard has occupied Dokdo since 1954.

There are countless Korean historical documents regarding Dokdo in Korea dating back to the Shilla Dynasty. If “Takashima” belonged to Japan before this, why was it annexed in 1905 by Japan if they already had a claim to it? Why does the name Takeshima mean bamboo island if there is no bamboo on the island?

If your neighbor tried to claim something that is not there’s would you object to it? Would you object if your neighbor wanted to antagonize you on a large stage, such as a community-wide event? This is no different. Japan is trying to antagonize Korea on the world stage. If I had a neighbor that behaved like that, I would stand up to them too.

Children in Korea draw pictures of the islands with a Korean flag on it and Japan being nuked. I have no sympathy for a country that is so obsessed with two tiny rocks that it uses them as a tool to indoctrinate its children to hate.

Southern Kurils anyone? Last time I checked, they were administered by Russia and Dokdo by South Korea. Japan can physically go there and change the situation if they want to. This is ridiculous and delusional. How is this any better than, say, China including Taiwan in a map of its own country?

Let’s not forget, it’s some of these same, older MOFA’s who caused the majority of significant problems across the region years ago. Now, they’re frequently and hypocritically pointing out the actions of ‘the neighbors’, only when it suits their economic interests.

Are these examples @CommodorePerry 9:41am

- “And what did Japan do when the IHO reverted to a numbering system? Japan whined, complained, used distorted logic to press their case. And major newspapers in Japan still use Sea of Japan. As do maps in the public schools.

@8:24, 8:51 & 9:34am?

These political and territorial disputes will be just an asterisk in the future: ‘bylines’ and ‘footnotes’ for ‘history’ books.

The key is to ‘dominate and subjugate your neighbors’ and then, you can ‘call the lands, waterways and even’s their children’s names whatever you dictate’. -

@SamitBasu’s got one pint of view with the internationally recognized IHO. Yet, numerical and gps systems function but don’t resolve petulant ‘pissing contests’.

@Erik Morales

I do not see any lies. That island is Japanese.

The difference is that while all Japan can do to assert its claim is to claim, Korea can actually have the start of Olympic Torch Relay on the Liancourt Rocks and broadcast it live to the world the next time they host Olympics.

That's the difference.

I do not see any lies. That island is Japanese. I never heard that Korea claimed that tiny island. Korea should be more concerned about N Korea and air quality in Seoul, in my opinion.

@Samit Basu

That already happened. The sea between Japan and Korea is now officially called the 18th Sea at IHO. Sea of Japan has been retired and will never be uttered at IHO documents and meetings again.

True fir IHO documents, but my original comment was "I wonder what Japan would do if on a map the Sea of Japan was changed to the Sea of Korea?".

And what did Japan do when the IHO reverted to a numbering system? Japan whined, complained, used distorted logic to press their case. And major newspapers in Japan still use Sea of Japan. As do maps in the public schools.

MOFA, on its website still displays:

The name “Sea of Japan” is the only internationally established name for the sea area concerned. 

But for your future reference, it's an inter-governmental body for hydrography. They chart waters for the world so that it's standardized and can be navigated.

Good for them! It sounds like very interesting work that they do on the internationally recognized Sea of Japan.

It's interesting that this article has left out the fact that when South Korea and North Korea walked under a united Korea flag for the Winter Olympics, they left out Dokdo / Takeshima from the flag to respect Japan's request to leave it out.

Japan should also honor Korea's request and leave politics out of the Olympics.

It's also interesting that many of the commenters seem to not be aware of this fact... it's okay to take sides but you should try and understand both sides of the argument.

Well... excuse me. Are you talking about their map which initially did not even have Japan?

For those who got extraordinarily strong eyesight

https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/en/torch/route/

The host that provokes its guests and the participants is not a good host.

Put aside the dispute and make it a non topic by not marking the territory. This hardly would mean giving up your claim to the islands but maintains harmony in the spirit.

That or don’t boast about your omotenashi hospitality. Learn to be humble.

Check that map if you want to. Lol. I really cannot find such small stain at where Takeshima is supposed to exist even with max zooming. Anyone who can find it? What is funnier is I can see Senkaku-islands (both of them) with my naked eyes.

Funny how people are that some cannot see the big picture. They are only small islands. Our leaders job is to stop wars and not start them. Our leaders are to intelligently discuss and work out issues. Just split the islands four ways if you have to but keep the peace. Fighting over rocks.

Never heard of them. Sounds fringe.

I still call it the Sea of Japan.

It doesn't matter if you never heard of it...

But for your future reference, it's an inter-governmental body for hydrography. They chart waters for the world so that it's standardized and can be navigated.

It's interesting that this article has left out the fact that when South Korea and North Korea walked under a united Korea flag for the Winter Olympics, they left out Dokdo / Takeshima from the flag to respect Japan's request to leave it out.

Japan should also honor Korea's request and leave politics out of the Olympics.

It's also interesting that many of the commenters seem to not be aware of this fact... it's okay to take sides but you should try and understand both sides of the argument.

Another day, another outburst of pure anti-Japan hatred from South Korea.

Ever had around 300000 girls and wives raped, and men forced into slavery? That may be a clue...

the olympics is supposed to be non political. SK should boycott if Japan is politicking

"Takeshima is a territory inherent to Japan in view of historical facts and international laws. We cannot accept South Korean's protest at all,"

Well, Japan is no stranger to its inability to accept facts and history. The island are Korean, plain and simple. If Kato doesn't agree, let him take a trip over there and see what happens. He won't, will he? Why not, if they're Japanese territory?

IHO.

Never heard of them. Sounds fringe.

I still call it the Sea of Japan.

@Strangerland

Who officially calls it that?

IHO.

The sea between Japan and Korea is now officially called the 18th Sea at IHO.

Who officially calls it that?

@Tom Doley

Then China should show Daiyou islands on their map at the 2022 Olympics.

I forgot. Yes indeed China will display the Diaoyu Islands on their Olympic maps as Chinese territory next year along with the 9 dashed lines. Japan will protest, but Japan started it first.

@Commodore Perry

I wonder what Japan would do if on a map the Sea of Japan was changed to the Sea of Korea?

That already happened. The sea between Japan and Korea is now officially called the 18th Sea at IHO. Sea of Japan has been retired and will never be uttered at IHO documents and meetings again.

This stupid Japanese action will backfire, because the next time Korea hosts Olympics, not only will Korea visibly mark the Liancourt Rocks on their map, but also start the Olympic Torch relay from the Liancourt Rocks as the eastern end of Korea and broadcast it to the world.

One wasn't aware that cheesy passive-aggression was one of the seven Olympic ideals.

The Koreans should just turn up in clothes with Dokdo shown on their shirts. Then China should show Daiyou islands on their map at the 2022 Olympics. This will prob teach people not to be two faced any more.

Good.

It is ridiculous from Korea even if Japan did not need to have provoked them. 5 years ok for Peonchang the IOC did request Korea to remove the isles from the unified flag.

korea is again boxing itself in a corner, as they are in the Korean press already shooting for a boycott. Let’s see but if they further escalate this a boycott is not impossible

Another day, another outburst of pure anti-Japan hatred from South Korea.

Takeshima is inalienable Japanese territory, and is shown as such on all credible world maps.

If the trainwreck Olympics goes ahead, SK has lost any shred of sympathy from Japanese fans. I suspect it would be better for them if they withdraw, like their neighbors to the the north.

They could revert to the past, equally recognized, ancient kanji names of “Whale Sea” but, ...

... the original inhabitants were hunted to near extension by all countries surrounding the area.

Oh, wait. We don’t want to leave anyone out! The France, Canada and American also ‘helped out the locals’, all cruising for whales in the sea from 1847 - 1892.

Umm... a picture of a map with said island would be nice...just sayin.

S

You knew it was bound to happen.

It simply wouldn't be an ordinary day in our universe if South Korea wasn't whining and complaining to the world about something Japan did or didn't do.

I suppose the crybabies can go back with their pathetic "Boycott Japan" nonsense. By the way, I find it exceptionally insulting to see some South Koreans and their fan base claim that the "boycott Japan" movement wasn't meant to be personal against Japanese people, it was only meant to protest against the Japanese government. Umm, if you boycott Japanese goods, you are NOT boycotting the government of Japan, you are in fact spiting Japanese citizens that made and marketed those products. I swear, some of these people really must think us stupid.

I wonder what Japan would do if on a map the Sea of Japan was changed to the Sea of Korea?

@South Korea

If you dont like it, you are free to pull out from the Olympics, but do us all a favor and stop whining about this childish topic.

The world has much more important things to handle.

South Korea doesn’t care if it gets bombed by North Korea like Yeonpyeong, yet they blow their top over anything related with the Liancourt Rocks.

The week after Trump first talked with Kim Jong Un, South Korea cancelled its regular drill with the U.S. along the border, yet they still did a drill on the Liancourt Rocks in case of an invasion from Japan.

Shows what their priorities are.