The Hindu : International : Japan, S. Korea in island row

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 16, 2005

International

International

Japan, S. Korea in island row

Tokyo: Relations between Japan and South Korea neared breaking point over renewed claims by Tokyo to sovereignty over a cluster of uninhabited islands in the Sea of Japan. Faced with continued violent protests in Seoul — during which two women cut off their fingers — Japan recalled its Ambassador to South Korea, Toshiyuki Takano. Mr. Takano angered his hosts recently by claiming that the volcanic islands, midway between the two countries, were ``historically and legally'' part of Japan. The dispute over the Takeshima islands — known as the Dokto in South Korea — intensified after Assembly members in Shimane prefecture in Japan drafted an ordinance that would set aside every February 22 to mark Japan's sovereignty. With the assembly expected to pass the draft ordinance on Wednesday, tensions are running high in Seoul.

— © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2004

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