Japan Press Weekly

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2016 August 10 - 16 TOP3 [POLITICS]

Koike on Takeshima dispute: calm discussions required to find solution

Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Koike Akira on August 15 commented on the event in which some South Korean parliamentarians went to Takeshima Island, and criticized the act for unnecessarily increasing tensions between Japan and South Korea.

Earlier on the same day, the 10-member group of Korean lawmakers led by Na Kyung-won of the ruling Saenuri Party disembarked at Takeshima (Korean name: Dokdo) in Shimane Prefecture.

Near JR Shinjuku Station in Tokyo, Koike in a street speech commemorating the 71st anniversary of the end of WWII made clear that Japan has historical grounds to claim its territorial rights over the island.

However, he pointed out that the year 1905, when Japan included Takeshima as part of Shimane Prefecture, was during the same period of time that Japan was colonizing Korea by using armed force. Therefore, he added, Korean diplomatic rights were being deprived.

Emphasizing the need to take into account these related facts, Koike said, “The territorial issue should be diplomatically settled in a calm and rational manner based on historical facts and international law,” and expressed his determination to continue dedicating his strength to reach a reconciliation with Asian countries and create true peace in Asia.

Past related issues:
> Japan should reflect on its colonial rule to solve territorial dispute: Shii [October 16, 2012]
> Calm diplomatic efforts needed to solve territorial issues: JCP Ichida [August 21, 2012]