Japan holds off plan to file suit on Dokdo sovereignty

Japan holds off plan to file suit on Dokdo sovereignty. August. 17, 2016 07:13. by 도쿄=장원재특파원 peacechaos@donga.com.

The Japanese government will hold off for a while its plan to file suit on the Dokdo Islet sovereignty issue to the International Court of Justice, the Kyodo News said Monday citing a Japanese government official. This is aimed at trying to refrain from make ruptures between Korea and Japan's relationship since it has to work in cooperation with Korea and the U.S. respond to North Korea's nuclear and missile provocation.

"The Japanese government made a humble response by delivering a protest message by the foreign affairs director to Korea regarding Korean lawmakers' landing on Dokdo," Kyodo News said. "This was based on the judgment that any deepening of conflict following Japan's filing of a suit at the International Court of Justice could result in a setback to Korea-U.S.-Japan alliance." However, Japan decided to maintain its existing stance that it will seek the most effective time to file a suit given domestic sentiment including the Shimane Prefecture that is sensitive to the Dokdo sovereignty.

Asked if the Dokdo issue will impact agreement on the Japanese comfort woman issue at a briefing on Monday, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters that it is important that the agreement made late last year proceed with both countries taking the responsibility. This meant he doesn't want the issue to adversely affect the relationship between the two countries. When then President Lee Myung-bak visited Dokdo in August 2012, Japan said it will examine in earnest filing a suit at the International Court of Justice, but it has yet to show concrete movements.