Takeshima Research and Commentary Site

The documents and materials published on this website were collected, researched, and prepared with advice from experts, as a part of a Government-commissioned project. The contents of this website do not reflect the views of the Government. Links to external sites (domains other than https://www.cas.go.jp) are not under the management of this site. For linked websites, please check with the organization/group that manages the website for the link in question.

Basic Position of the
Government of Japan

Takeshima is indisputably an inherent part of the territory of Japan, in light of historical facts and based on international law.
The ROK has been occupying Takeshima with no basis in international law. Any measures the ROK takes regarding Takeshima based on such an illegal occupation have no legal justification.
Japan will continue to seek the settlement of the dispute over territorial sovereignty over Takeshima on the basis of international law in a calm and peaceful manner.

Commentary on themes by historical period
From the report
on the document research project

Classification by historical periods II
From around 1905 when Takeshima was incorporated into Shimane Prefecture until the end of WWII (Meiji era to -1945)

(1) Request for the lease of Takeshima and its incorporation into Shimane Prefecture

By around 1903, sea lion hunting gained momentum in the waters of Takeshima. Concerned that this would lead to overhunting, Yozaburo NAKAI, an Oki resident, submitted a request to the Meiji Government in September 1904 to lease Takeshima for 10 years in order to avoid excessive competition. On January 28, 1905, the Government reached a Cabinet decision to officially name the island “Takeshima,” and place it under the jurisdiction of the Oki Islands branch office of Shimane Prefecture.

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(2) Peaceful and continuous exercise of administrative powers over Takeshima

After the incorporation of Takeshima into Shimane Prefecture, a series of administrative actions were exercised on Takeshima in a peaceful and continuous manner, including: the public notification of its incorporation into Shimane Prefecture; entry in the ledger of state-owned land; granting of permission for industrial sea lion hunting activities; and collection of rental fees for state-owned property. Moreover, no protests were lodged by any country.

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(3) Investigations and administrative publications on Takeshima

In the period up to WWII, Japan continuously had a relationship with Takeshima; administrative agencies, the Shimane Prefectural Government in particular, surveyed and managed Takeshima, allowing it to be included in government publications.

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Classification by historical periods III
Post WWII, before and after the San Francisco Peace Treaty entered into force 1945-1952

(1) GHQ's measures relating to Takeshima

After World War II, the General Headquarters, Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (GHQ/SCAP) included Takeshima as one of the specified areas over which the Government of Japan was required to suspend the exercising of its political and administrative authority, thus prohibiting Japan from approaching or having any contact with Takeshima. However, this action did not involve any determination of Japan’s territory after the war; the postwar Japanese territory was legally demarcated through the San Francisco Peace Treaty.

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(2) Details of the drafting of the San Francisco Peace Treaty

Looking at the drafting process of the San Francisco Peace Treaty, it can be seen that the United States, the United Kingdom and other drafting countries of the treaty drew up the provision of Article 2(a) stating that Japan renounces all rights, title and claim to “Korea, including the islands of Quelpart, Port Hamilton and Dagelet,” recognizing that Takeshima belongs to Japan.

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(3) Moves towards the use of Takeshima after WWII

The fishermen of Oki, who had received permission to engage in sea lion hunting before the war, called strongly for the resumption of fishing and hunting in the waters of Takeshima. With the San Francisco Peace Treaty entering into force and also the removal of Takeshima from the bombing range in May 1953, the Shimane Prefectural Government granted permission for fishery activities. Around that time, fishery resource surveys were conducted by the Shimane Prefecture Fisheries Research Institute and other agencies, representing the potential of the waters around Takeshima as fishing grounds.

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