"Dokdo=Territorial Dispute" Controversy Over Japan Self-Defense Forces' English and French Promotional Videos

Photo by Japan Ministry of Defense Joint Staff Office Facebook capture.

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] The Japan Self-Defense Forces recently sparked controversy by labeling Dokdo as a 'territorial dispute' area in promotional videos in English and French.

On the 18th, the Japanese Ministry of Defense's Joint Staff Office posted videos titled "Efforts to Promote a Free and Open Indo-Pacific Vision" in English and French on Facebook. The Joint Staff Office corresponds to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff.

In the two videos, Dokdo is labeled as "Takeshima (竹島, the name Japan claims for Dokdo) Territorial disputes over Takeshima Island."

Previously, on the 7th, the Joint Staff Office had posted a Japanese-language video with the same content on Facebook, but the expression was milder, describing Dokdo as "the territorial issue of Takeshima."

Photo by Japan Ministry of Defense Joint Staff Office Facebook capture.

Following the Japanese version, the videos produced in English and French introduce joint exercises between the Self-Defense Forces and the French military, as well as joint drills among Japan, the United States, Australia, and France, promoting the Self-Defense Forces' efforts to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Meanwhile, a South Korean Foreign Ministry official stated regarding this matter, "We have clearly conveyed our regrets and protests to the Japanese side through diplomatic channels."

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