This year marks 70 years since the islands of Takeshima were illegally occupied by South Korea, which claimed them as its territory. The Japanese government needs to make clear its intention to protect the territory and work to convey to the global community relevant information about the legitimacy of Takeshima being part of Japan's inherent territory.
A ceremony organized by the Shimane prefectural government and other entities was to be held in Matsue today to commemorate Takeshima Day, Feb. 22. The ceremonial day was decided based on the prefectural ordinance as the prefectural government incorporated Takeshima into the prefecture on that date in 1905.
The central government will send Hiroo Kotera, parliamentary vice minister of the Cabinet Office, to the ceremony. The government must take seriously its responsibility for letting the illegal occupation of the islands continue for such a long time.
