Commentary on themes by historical period

　After World War II, the General Headquarters of the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (GHQ/SCAP, hereinafter “GHQ”) included Takeshima within the region where the Government of Japan should suspend the exercise of its political or administrative authorityNo.31 by SCAPIN-677, and further, prohibited close approach to and contact with Takeshima by Japanese when the areas where Japan was permitted to carry out fishing and whaling activities (the so-called “MacArthur Line”) were designated by SCAPIN-1033No.32.

　However, paragraph 6 of SCAPIN-677 states that “[n]othing in this directive shall be construed as an indication of Allied policy relating to the ultimate determination of the minor islands referred to in Article 8 of the Potsdam Declaration.” Moreover, paragraph 5 of SCAPIN-1033 provides that “[t]he present authorization is not an expression of allied [sic] policy relative to [the] ultimate determination of national jurisdiction, international boundaries or fishing rights in the area concerned or in any other area.” After WWII, what legally determined Japan’s territory was the San Francisco Peace Treaty (entered into force in 1952).

　In September 1947, GHQ designated Takeshima as a bombing range by SCAPIN-1778No.33No.34. In July 1951, GHQ redesignated Takeshima as a bombing range by SCAPIN-2160.

　In July 1952 immediately after the San Francisco Peace Treaty entered into force, Takeshima was designated as one of the bombing ranges to be used by the U.S. Forces in Japan, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a notification to that effectNo.35. Thereafter, at a meeting of the Japan-U.S. Joint Committee which convened in March 1953, it was decided that Takeshima would be removed from the list of bombing ranges, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a notification to that effect in May of the same yearNo.36. This shows that the United States recognized Takeshima as a part of Japan’s territory.