“Should Have Thought of a Way to Stop Dokdo Legislation”

The Japanese government seems to be confused after facing an unexpectedly strong reaction from Korea about the Dokdo Day Act instituted by the Shimane Prefecture legislature.

The Mainichi Shimbun reported on March 17 that there are some who are saying they “should have thought of a way to stop the legislation much earlier” within some parts of the foreign ministry.

Despite numerous warnings from the Korean government, Japanese authorities said, “The central government cannot interfere with a local legislative agenda,” giving tacit approval to the legislation in actuality.

The foreign minister of Korea, Ban Ki-moon, reminded the Japanese foreign minister, Machimura Nobutaka, of the seriousness of the historical issues facing Japan at a foreign ministerial meeting between Korea, China and Japan in Laos in November 2004, saying, “You do realize what year 2005 is.”

Hun-Joo Cho hanscho@donga.com