ID :
12663
Wed, 07/16/2008 - 11:22
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/12663
The shortlink copeid
Japan has much to lose from Takeshima reference: S. Korean envoy+
TOKYO, July 16 Kyodo - South Korean Ambassador to Japan Kwon Chul Hyun lodged a protest Tuesday over Japan's decision to mention two disputed islets for the first time in a teaching guideline for junior high schools, demanding proper measures be taken and warning that ''Japan has much to lose from this.''Meanwhile, the Japanese government reiterated its call for a calm and cool-headed response from South Korea, as ministers stressed the issue should not damage overall ties.
Kwon told reporters after a 40-minute meeting with Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka at the Foreign Ministry in the morning, ''When we (both nations) have decided to be forward-looking and (Japanese) Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda too has said we will work to build a 'new era' for South Korea-Japan relations, what is happening is inconceivable.''In the talks, Yabunaka repeated Japan's stance that the islets in the Sea of Japan, known as Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in South Korea, are Japanese territory but stressed the importance of cooperation to calmly deal with the differences in positions and work toward an agreed ''new era'' of bilateral relations, the Foreign Ministry said.
The ambassador departed from Japan on Tuesday night as the South Korean government has decided to temporarily recall Kwon in protest over the matter.
Earlier in the morning, Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura told a news conference, ''What is needed is to overcome the difference in positions in a cool-headed manner.''''Especially when we have just begun under the leadership of our two leaders a new Japan-South Korea relationship, both sides should make efforts to ensure that the momentum is not disrupted,'' he said.
Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura said, ''The Takeshima issue itself is not a problem that can be resolved overnight. Above all, we must seek a peaceful solution.''''While both sides have differences in their positions, it is important to respond calmly so as not to damage overall bilateral relations,'' Komura added.
Japan decided Monday to refer to the two South Korean-controlled islets in a teaching guideline for junior schools. It is the first time such an educational document has mentioned the territory.
This drew an immediate protest from South Korean President Lee Myung Bak's government, despite Japan softening the wording in the guideline apparently out of consideration for Seoul's position.
Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Kisaburo Tokai said at a separate news conference, ''While taking into consideration that each side has its own position and claims, we must build a relationship like that between grown-ups.''Meanwhile, ruling Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Bunmei Ibuki stressed that the wording in the guideline gives ample consideration to South Korea.
''It mentions the fact that Japan and South Korea hold different views over the issue of sovereignty (of the islets). This too must be clearly explained to the South Korean side,'' Ibuki told reporters.
Ownership of Takeshima, which includes surrounding reefs and covers a total area of 210,000 square meters, has been the subject of a long-standing dispute between the two neighbors.
The document in question is a nonbinding guideline that supplements Japan's new educational guideline for social studies at junior high schools from the school year starting in April 2012. It serves as a guideline for teachers and textbook publishers.
Kwon told reporters after a 40-minute meeting with Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka at the Foreign Ministry in the morning, ''When we (both nations) have decided to be forward-looking and (Japanese) Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda too has said we will work to build a 'new era' for South Korea-Japan relations, what is happening is inconceivable.''In the talks, Yabunaka repeated Japan's stance that the islets in the Sea of Japan, known as Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in South Korea, are Japanese territory but stressed the importance of cooperation to calmly deal with the differences in positions and work toward an agreed ''new era'' of bilateral relations, the Foreign Ministry said.
The ambassador departed from Japan on Tuesday night as the South Korean government has decided to temporarily recall Kwon in protest over the matter.
Earlier in the morning, Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura told a news conference, ''What is needed is to overcome the difference in positions in a cool-headed manner.''''Especially when we have just begun under the leadership of our two leaders a new Japan-South Korea relationship, both sides should make efforts to ensure that the momentum is not disrupted,'' he said.
Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura said, ''The Takeshima issue itself is not a problem that can be resolved overnight. Above all, we must seek a peaceful solution.''''While both sides have differences in their positions, it is important to respond calmly so as not to damage overall bilateral relations,'' Komura added.
Japan decided Monday to refer to the two South Korean-controlled islets in a teaching guideline for junior schools. It is the first time such an educational document has mentioned the territory.
This drew an immediate protest from South Korean President Lee Myung Bak's government, despite Japan softening the wording in the guideline apparently out of consideration for Seoul's position.
Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Kisaburo Tokai said at a separate news conference, ''While taking into consideration that each side has its own position and claims, we must build a relationship like that between grown-ups.''Meanwhile, ruling Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Bunmei Ibuki stressed that the wording in the guideline gives ample consideration to South Korea.
''It mentions the fact that Japan and South Korea hold different views over the issue of sovereignty (of the islets). This too must be clearly explained to the South Korean side,'' Ibuki told reporters.
Ownership of Takeshima, which includes surrounding reefs and covers a total area of 210,000 square meters, has been the subject of a long-standing dispute between the two neighbors.
The document in question is a nonbinding guideline that supplements Japan's new educational guideline for social studies at junior high schools from the school year starting in April 2012. It serves as a guideline for teachers and textbook publishers.
