Takeshima in old times is present-day Utsuryo Island (Ulleungdo) (Yomiuri Shimbun)

The basis of possession - Announcement by the Government

The Government of Japan announced "the Opinion of the Government of Japan concerning Takeshima" at 11:30 morning on 14th. This testifies that "Takeshima is Japanese territory" from the both sides of historical facts and legal basis against the accumulated invasion of Takeshima by South Korea. The main points are as follows.

- Historical fact: Firstly, the island known as Takeshima or Iso-Takeshima in old times is Utsuryo Island (Ulleungdo), however, present-day Takeshima used to be called Matsushima. This is clear from both of old documents and maps of Japan side and old documents of Korea side. However, since Philip von Siebold mistook Utsuryo Island (Ulleungdo) for Matsushima in the Map of Japan in 1840, even in Japan, people mistook to recognize Utsuryo Island (Ulleungdo) as Matsushima, then, Matsushima in old times has changed its name to Takeshima.