Comments on: Education ministry drops Takeshima plans

By: ダビ

ダビ — Wed, 28 May 2008 18:49:24 +0000

I don’t think JG should just give it up… Keep claiming it but without making any unnecessary provocations like this. Then if anything valuable (oil etc) is every found within the islands EEZ force Korea to agree to share it.

By: hadji

hadji — Wed, 28 May 2008 14:37:39 +0000

Love the American cow.

South Korea is a psychiatrists dream state.

By: helical

helical — Wed, 28 May 2008 11:07:41 +0000

I meant the above comment as in how it looks from both sides, regarding why it’s such a big issue.

By: ponta

ponta — Wed, 28 May 2008 11:01:05 +0000

To be exact most people in Japan are not excited about it, but I think it would fuel nationalism even among average Japanese if JG just gave away the islet.

By: helical

helical — Wed, 28 May 2008 10:59:38 +0000

A step forward? So at the end of the day, the loudest side wins?

Even if the Liancourt rocks had no financial value, it would be as if your next-door neighbor broke into your house and stole $5. You would be angrier about the break-in and theft rather than the financial loss itself.

By: shazzb0t

shazzb0t — Wed, 28 May 2008 10:36:21 +0000

Its basically a matter of getting the EEZ that comes with possessing the ‘island’. The many of these voice from South Korea are basically regurgitating a nationalistic government line on the matter. Believe it or not most people in Japan that are not affected by this situation (i.e. people in the fishing industry, or for nationalistic reasons the uyoku groups) do not care much one way or the other.

By: ponta

ponta — Wed, 28 May 2008 10:16:46 +0000

The announcement was really stupid.
If the government really feel the need, just do it. If it doesn’t, don’t announce it at all.
By the announcement and re-announcement, Fukuda will get more scornful reactions from Japanese and Koreans. I AM very critical of him anyway.

By: ダビ

ダビ — Wed, 28 May 2008 08:42:45 +0000

Actually that cartoon has a fair point. South Korea is full of nationalist nut jobs but Japan shouldn’t make life harder for seemingly reasonable leaders like Lee Myung-Bak by making silly announcements like this.

By: Clifford

Clifford — Wed, 28 May 2008 07:43:04 +0000

I honestly do not understand why such an insignificant island is seen to be so important. While I understand its importance as a symbol in Korea I feel people there worship the place far too much. The Japanese government should simply end claiming sovereignty over the island anyway, since it’s of little value to the country, the people in Japan don’t really seem to care about it all that much, and judging from what I’ve read it is in fact part of Korea. In that regard, this is a good step forward.