Japan eyes informal multiparty talks over Sea of Japan name dispute

If it actually is East Sea/東海、Japan actually is an western country in Far West.

Why does the entire world have to write "Sea of Japan (East Sea)" or "Sea of Japan/East Sea" just to please this childish and pointless demand by one mentally challenged country? Besides, English is not SK's national language so perhaps the entire world should always write "Sea of Japan (동해)". Let's see long that lasts.

It would only be the 'East Sea' when viewed from its west, i.e. from Korea. But in fact the name Nihon, commonly rendered into romantic English as 'land of the rising sun' also only makes sense when Japan is viewed from its west. So actually the two are synonymous and Korea is splitting hairs.

A 1904 map viewed recently clearly referred to the Sea of Japan, while it also shows an 'Eastern Sea' to the south of Korea and west of Kyushu. History does not seem to be on Korea's side either.

I cannot see what is wrong with the current status quo is. Sea if Japan (East Sea).

As long as we're having international maritime talks, Japan should ask to put Takeshima vs. Dokdo on the agenda.

@Samit Bansu,

the secretariat strongly demanded last autumn that if Japan did not agree to hold talks, it might consider not simply revising the guidelines but scrapping them altogether

OK, but that is from a Yomiuri article and is somewhat different.

Which is that if Japan doesn't talk, then this might happen.

So, if Japan talks, then what?!

Which is why I am saying Japan should go on offense!! All of these international organizations view Japan as spineless wimps.

Whereas, they know China is not!!

Japan needs to say: We will talk!!

BUT!!! If you do what you are threatening, we will drop a bomb on you!! We will stop funding you!! We will revoke your diplomatic credentials!! We will ensure that anyone that supports this move is denied entry to Japan now and forever!!

THAT is how you win against entities that view Japan as spineless wimps!!!

@zones2surf

Well, that was NOWHERE in the article.

This is from the Yomiuri article.

the secretariat strongly demanded last autumn that if Japan did not agree to hold talks, it might consider not simply revising the guidelines but scrapping them altogether

Yup, IHO threatened to strike the name Sea of Japan unless Japan came to a naming agreement with Korea.

@Samit Basu,

The IHO gave its ultimatum to Japan that if Japan doesn't come to an agreement with the ROK over the name, it will delete the Sea of Japan name by next year and leave the sea without a name.So the name "Sea of Japan" is a goner by next year either way.

Well, that was NOWHERE in the article.

But, let's assume that this is the case. That this is true.

Japan's stance is simple:

-- Japan will remove immediately all funding for the IHO.

-- Japan will immediately suspend all contributions to the UN.

-- Japan will immediately revoke any and all diplomatic privileges accorded to anyone from the IHO.

-- Japan will suspend diplomatic relationships with ANY UN member that recognizes ANY naming of the body of water other than the Sea of Japan.

-- Etc., etc.

THAT is how you to play to win!!

And THAT is how you beat the Koreans!!

And the Chinese!!

No holds barred!!!

@Triring

Japan really do not care how it is printed within ROK published maps.

Japan cares how the IHO's official maps are printed. Yes, IHO is threatening to delete the "Sea of Japan" name from the IHO navigation chart and leave the sea without a name unless Japan comes to an agreement with Korea by next year.

Samit BasuToday  12:48 pm JST

The IHO gave its ultimatum to Japan that if Japan doesn't come to an agreement with the ROK over the name, it will delete the Sea of Japan name by next year and leave the sea without a name.

Japan really do not care how it is printed within ROK published maps.

http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0005487761

8:46 pm, January 18, 2019

The Yomiuri Shimbun

the government is reluctant to hold talks on revising the guidelines as it could result in both the Sea of Japan and the East Sea being used in conjunction. However, there are fears that Japan could be backed into a severe situation as the IHO has shown a tough stance, according to sources.

As part of its efforts, the IHO secretariat has urged Tokyo, Seoul and Pyongyang — which has made claims similar to those of South Korea — to hold informal discussions by the time the 2020 meeting is held.

According to diplomatic sources, while Japan was reluctant to accept the request, the secretariat strongly demanded last autumn that if Japan did not agree to hold talks, it might consider not simply revising the guidelines but scrapping them altogether. For that reason, the government is believed to be making arrangements to agree to hold the discussions.

The sea's name if Japan agrees to a name revision in 2020 : "Sea Of Japan/East Sea"

The sea's name if Japan refuses to agree to a name revision in 2020 : ""

If the name is changed to "NanashiKai" perhaps everyone will be satisfied.

@zones2surf

There is no down-side to this if Japan goes into these informal multilateral talks with absolutely no intention of ceding any ground

The IHO gave its ultimatum to Japan that if Japan doesn't come to an agreement with the ROK over the name, it will delete the Sea of Japan name by next year and leave the sea without a name.

So the name "Sea of Japan" is a goner by next year either way.

alwaysspeakingwisdomToday  08:56 am JST

The body of water between Kyushu and Korea is currently known as the Korea strait. I think Japan should lobby for a change in name. Lets call it the Kyushu strait.

Actually in Japan and China it's called the Tsushima Strait but we Japanese do not make it a fuss if it is internationally recognized as the Korean Strait.

To be more precise Korea Strait Eastern Channel/Tsushima Strait between Kyushu and Tsushima island and Korea Strait Western Channel between Tsushima island and the Korean peninsula.

Can IHO do something before it gets even a issue?

Tactically and strategically smart by Japan.

There is no down-side to this if Japan goes into these informal multilateral talks with absolutely no intention of ceding any ground on its assertion that the Sea of Japan is non-negotiable.

Basically, just use every meeting to reiterate its position and the reason why the naming is not open to discussion.

In that sense, play the whole meaningless diplomatic talks game to continue to assert the indisputable naming of the Sea of Japan.

This is so petty. It doesn't matter what it's called.

The body of water between Kyushu and Korea is currently known as the Korea strait. I think Japan should lobby for a change in name. Lets call it the Kyushu strait.

It's the Sea of Japan. End of story. No talks necessary.

Some things Japan could do better but this is just stupid.

This is another example of SK's chip on the shoulder mentality and possibly the most inane example. Just exactly what would SK gain if the world renamed it "East Sea"? A sense of gratification that they "beat Japan" at something? Even though it was not Japan that named it. The other countries that surround it, Russia and China call it Sea of Japan or Japan Sea. The rest of the entire planet calls it Sea of Japan and have no problem with it since the name does not connote ownership by Japan, any more than the Gulf of Mexico is owned by Mexico. Perhaps most importantly, if SK were demanding that it be renamed "Korean Sea" at least that would make some sense. But the name "East Sea:" makes sense only to people standing on the Korean Peninsula and nobody else. In China the name "East Sea" -Dong Hai 東海 refers to the East China Sea. The sea east of China is the Yellow Sea. No matter how you look at it it's a ridiculous self centered stupid claim.