Japanese Government Claims "IHO Paper Map Retains 'Sea of Japan' Instead of 'East Sea'"

Actual Digital Nautical Charts Use Numbers Instead of Sea Names

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) has decided to adopt a system of using numbers instead of sea names on digital nautical charts. However, the Japanese government claims that their proposal was adopted, as the paper-based charts still retain the notation "Nihonkai" (Sea of Japan).

According to the Asahi Shimbun on the 17th, Kato Katsunobu, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary, said at a regular briefing, "The (IHO) report states that the guideline S-23, which has used 'Nihonkai' as the only internationally established name, remains publicly available as a current IHO publication, just as before."

Kato said that the secretary-general's report proposing the exclusive use of "Nihonkai" was provisionally approved, and that member countries will confirm this in the minutes of the general assembly later this month and are expected to formally adopt it. The IHO plans to circulate the results of this general assembly to member countries in writing and make a final announcement around the 1st of next month.

Kato also added that the report reflected a digital management plan that marks all maritime boundaries with numbers to reflect advances in informatization, and said, "Our country (Japan) supported the report's assessment that this improves the convenience of hydrographic management work."

Motegi Toshimitsu, Japan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, also commented at a press conference regarding the IHO general assembly discussions, saying, "The paper charts will retain 'Nihonkai.' And the digital side basically uses all numerical notations, which is not only for Nihonkai. I think our country's (Japan's) position was properly accepted."

The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs rebutted Japan's media reports claiming that the name "Nihonkai" will be maintained, calling them distorted reports that do not reflect the facts. A ministry official explained, "The secretary-general's proposal clearly states that S-23 will remain as a publication, not a valid standard, to show the historical transition from analog to digital," and added, "Since it remains only as a publication while a new standard is being developed, it is not a valid standard."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.