About the Sea of Japan name problem

Sea of Japan name problem

About the Sea of Japan name problem

The South Korean governments and South Koreans are requiring that the ocean space called "Sea of Japan" until now should be made into "East Sea"

The reason which the South Korean government and South Koreans assert is as follows.

1.It was called "East Sea" from ancient times in South Korea and every country in the world.
2.The "Sea of Japan" was spread by an extended principle and colonialism of Japan.
3.The ocean space to which the specific name of a country was attached in the ocean space over two or more states does not exist now.

However, a South Korean opinion is contrary to the fact.

The justification of the Sea of Japan, and a South Korean error

The name "Sea of Japan" is said to have been first published in the "World Atlas," written by Matteo Ricci, in 1602.
The name became frequently used on Western maps from the 17th century.
In the late 18th century, the chronometer was invented. This is a clock that can indicate precise time on the sea, and thus is essential to an accurate measurement of longitudes.
By using a chronometer, it became possible to map the correct location of islands and coastal lines of continents.
Around the same time, three Western explorers, Jean La Perouse (France), William R. Broughton (Britain), Adam Johann von Krusenstern (Russia) had set out to survey areas nearby Japan, and they have revealed the detailed shape of the Sea of Japan.
Especially Krusenstern mentioned in his work "Reise um die Welt in den Jahren (1812)" (Note 1), that "People also call this sea area the Sea of Korea, but because only a small part of this sea touches the Korean coast, it is better to name it the Sea of Japan." His idea also matches the geographical naming concept, regarding this sea as a marginal sea surrounded by the islands of the Japanese Archipelago, forming an arch starting from Sakhalin and facing the coastline extending from the northeast of the Eurasian continent to the Korean Peninsula.
Thus, as the geography surrounding the "Sea of Japan" (and the landform of the Japanese Archipelago in particular) became clear through the surveys by Western cartographers, explorers and voyagers, the name "Sea of Japan" had established itself as a single name internationally by the early 19th century.
This is also clear from the changes in the names shown in maps by countries other than Japan or South Korea during 17th to 20th centuries.
As mentioned above, the claim by South Korea stating that the name "Sea of Japan" is a "remnant of colonialism" in the early 20th century is completely groundless.
We cannot accept to change the internationally established single name "Sea of Japan," with its long history by such a claim based on incorrect recognition.

South Korea gives the existence of "Sea of Korea" or "Mare Orientale (Orient Sea)" as a ground for their claims that the name "East Sea" has a long international history.
However, although these two names given as the ground did exist in the past, the name "East Sea" cannot be found in old maps or charts. In fact, the name "East Sea" has a clearly different origin from the said other two names. South Korea has been calling the seas west, south and east of their countries "Sohae," "Namhae" and "Donghae/Tonghae" respectively.

Moreover, ocean space where the specific name of a country was attached, such as the Indian Ocean, also exists.

Dissatisfaction to South Korea

The Japan-Korea Hydrographic Technical Meeting has been held annually since 1989 to exchange technical opinions regarding the nautical charts preparation, hydrographic surveys and oceanographic observations between the hydrographic offices of both countries.
However, South Korea has never suggested including the issue of the name of "Sea of Japan" on the agenda.
Japan Coast Guard as a hydrographic office in Japan planed to hold the Fourteenth Japan-Korea Hydrographic Technical Meeting on December 16 and 17, 2002 in Tokyo, with this issue included in the agenda.
South Korea had at first accepted to hold the meeting, but on December 12th, which was just before the meeting was to be held, South Korea suddenly raised an objection against the inclusion of the issue on the agenda.
The reason it gave was as follows: "The response of the Japanese side does not show the Korean side the willingness to come forward with alternative names to the 'Sea of Japan' in a spirit of compromise. Therefore, a discussion on the issue will be of no value." The Japan side asked South Korea for reconsideration, but it didn't changed its mind, and the schedule of the meeting was obliged to be postponed.

Conclusion

We say that it cannot bear that South Korea receives a name "the Sea of Japan" for the sea of the neighborhood, and sometimes find an argument intense for a South Korean newspaper in emotion.
It may be truth that many South Korean people share such feeling.
However, though this is true, South Korea must not bend a historical background, and while the decision of an international organization is not lengthened or it is carrying out the demand at the multinational meeting, don't refuse the proposal of Japan which has a mutual technical discussion.

I want sensible international society strongly to use the "Sea of Japan" independently.

■ Japan Coast Guard "Sea of Japan"
■ The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan