Tokyo Olympic Map Excludes Dokdo, Japanese Government Claims "Our Inherent Territory"

▲Kato Katsunobu, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The Japanese government stated that it cannot accept South Korea's demand to remove Dokdo, which is depicted as Japanese territory on the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Organizing Committee's website map.

On the 28th, Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato, the spokesperson for the Japanese government, said at a press conference held at the Prime Minister's Official Residence, "Takeshima (the name Japan claims for Dokdo) is clearly Japanese sovereign territory both historically and under international law, and we cannot accept South Korea's claims at all."

He added, "Based on our firm determination to continue protecting our country's territory, territorial waters, and airspace, we want to respond to the Takeshima issue calmly and resolutely."

Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato made these remarks in response to a question about former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon's statement that if Dokdo is not removed from the Organizing Committee's website map, South Korea should refuse to participate in the Olympics.

Regarding the possibility that South Korea might not participate in the Games if Japan does not remove Dokdo, he said, "Regarding the dispatch of athletes, I understand that each country's National Olympic Committee (NOC) and National Paralympic Committee (NPC) will make their own decisions."

Former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon wrote on Facebook on the 27th, "We strongly urge the Japanese government to immediately remove the Dokdo notation," and added, "If Japan refuses until the end, the government must firmly respond by mobilizing all possible means, including an Olympic boycott."

Earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requested Japan through diplomatic channels to delete Dokdo, which is depicted as Japanese territory on the Organizing Committee's website, but the Japanese government conveyed its position of refusal.

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