[Editorial] Japan’s False Obsession With Dokdo

Today, Japan will announce how it will officially describe the Dokdo islets in school textbooks. Historically and pragmatically, it is absurd for Japan to claim sovereignty to the islets. Responsibility and discretion lies entirely in the hands of Japan. It can choose to follow rationality and abandon its unreasonable greed for the island or scuttle its recovering relations with Korea.

News from Japan is not that sanguine. According to Kyodo News, Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda reportedly told President Lee Myung-bak in Hokkaido during the G8 meeting that Japan will lay claim to the islets in a handbook for middle school teachers. The Korean presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae has denied the report, while Japan is keeping silent. Certain Japanese newspapers predict that Tokyo will take a considerate approach by not directly mentioning its claim to the island. Isn’t it absurd to talk about “considerate approach” when Japan is talking about another country’s territory? No matter how Japan as a whole tries to disguise the truth, the truth is that Dokdo is Korean territory.

Fukuda promised a future-oriented new era in his April 20 meeting with President Lee. Less than three months have passed, and Japan is trying to stab its neighbor in the back! How can we trust this country and its prime minister? Senior figures in Japan have constantly announced Japan’s sovereignty over Dokdo and have shattered relations between the two countries. Catering to the Japanese population, Japanese leaders have repeatedly made false arguments while turning on their ally.

Shame on Japan! If Tokyo insists on this absurdity, we have to fight back hard. And Japan shall be held solely responsible for the casualties from a harsh bilateral relationship.