1. Sovereignty – Law and History

Outline

During the 17th century, the Tokugawa Shogunate granted merchants from Yonago with the rights of passage to Utsuryo Island. During the voyage, Takeshima was discovered, as it is located along the route to Utsuryo. The merchants fished and hunted on and around Takeshima as well after receiving the Shogunate’s permission. In 1904, a Japanese resident of the Oki Islands requested the Japanese Government to incorporate Takeshima and then grant him a lease over the territory so that he may hunt sea lions. The Japanese Government incorporated Takeshima in accordance with international law in 1905. Over three sections, Takeshima Facts & Figures elucidates (1) historical facts regarding Japan’s relation to Takeshima, (2) the measure of incorporation and effective control over Takeshima and (3) events transpiring after World War Ⅱ and Takeshima’s legal status, all being documented.

overview
*Click the links to go to the individual pages.

A. Historical relationship between Japan and Takeshima

The early half of the 17th century Fishing at Utsuryo island begins under the permission of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Takeshima is also utilized as it is en route to Utsuryo Read ≫
The mid-17th century Hunting and fishing at Takeshima starts Read ≫
The 1690s Today’s Takeshima was never broached during disputes with Korea over Utsuryo Island. Read ≫
1836 Imazuya Hachiemon of Hamada voyages to Utsuryo under the pretext of traveling to Matsushima (present-day Takeshima) Read ≫
1849 Western powers name Takeshima the “Liancourt Rocks,” causing confusion regarding the names of the islands, including that of Utsuryo Read ≫
September 29, 1904 Nakai Yozaburo requests the Japanese Government to incorporate what is present-day Takeshima and lease it to him Read ≫
November 15 and 30 of 1904 The Director of Home Affairs of Shimane Prefecture filed an inquiry with the Oki Islands Magistrate about the name of the islands – the magistrate replies Read ≫

B. Territorial incorporation under international law and subsequent effective control

January 28, 1905 A Japanese Cabinet decision incorporates Takeshima into Japan, determining the islands’ name and jurisdiction Read ≫
February 22, 1905 The Governor of Shimane Prefecture publicly announces that the islands are named Takeshima and the jurisdiction under which they will be governed (Prefectural Notice No. 40) Read ≫
April 14, 1905 The Revised Fisheries Control Regulations deemed sea lion hunting as an activity that requires the governor’s approval. Read ≫
May 17, 1905 Takeshima is added to the Ledger of State-owned Land Read ≫
June 5, 1905 Nakai Yozaburo, among others, are permitted to hunt sea lions on Takeshima Read ≫
August 19, 1905 The Governor of Shimane Prefecture travels to Takeshima Read ≫
March 1, 1906 Amendment to the Regulations on the Assessment of Prefectural Taxes; sea lion hunting becomes taxable Read ≫
March 27, 1906 Shimane Prefecture conducts a survey of Takeshima Read ≫
July of 1906 Rates for leasing government land to sea lion hunters were set and paid annually — hunting licenses were issued in five-year terms Read ≫
June 30, 1908 The Fisheries Control Regulations are revised to prohibit any form of fishing other than sea lion hunting conducted on Takeshima and within 20 cho (approximately 2.182km) offshore Read ≫
April 1, 1921 Shimane Prefecture’s Fisheries Control Regulations are revised to permit sea lion hunters to gather edible seaweeds such as laver and wakame Read ≫
June 6, 1939 Rights to prospect for phosphate rock in Takeshima are established Read ≫

C. Legal status after World War II

January 29, 1946 General Headquarters, the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (GHQ): “Governmental and Administrative Separation of Certain Outlying Areas from Japan” (SCAPIN-677) Read ≫
June 22, 1946 General Headquarters, the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (GHQ): “Area Authorized for Japanese Fishing and Whaling” (SCAPIN-1033) Read ≫
September 16, 1947 GHQ designates the ‘Liancourt Rocks’ as a bombing range (SCAPIN-1778) Read ≫
September 19, 1949 GHQ, “Area Authorized for Japanese Fishing and Whaling” (SCAPIN-2046) Read ≫
July 6, 1951 GHQ re-designates the ‘Liancourt Rocks’ as a bombing range (SCAPIN-2160)/td> Read ≫
July 19, 1951 The Republic of Korea requests the United States to revise the draft of the San Francisco Peace Treaty Read ≫
August 10, 1951 The United States refuses South Korea’s request to revise the draft treaty, stating that Takeshima belongs to Japan Read ≫
September 8, 1951 The signing of the San Francisco Peace Treaty Read ≫
January 18, 28 of 1952 The South Korean President declares sovereignty over adjacent seas (the Syngman Rhee Line – inside of which includes Takeshima) / The Japanese Government protests Korea’s maritime declaration as well as its assumption of sovereignty over Takeshima Read ≫
April 25, 1952 GHQ eliminates areas authorized for Japanese fishing Read ≫
April 28, 1952 The Treaty of San Francisco enters into force Read ≫
July 26, 1952 Japan provides Takeshima to the United States as a bombing range in accordance with the Security Treaty Between Japan and the United States of America, as well as the Japan – United States Administrative Agreement Read ≫
March 19, 1953 Takeshima was declassified as a bombing range Read ≫
May 28, 1953 Shimane Prefecture Fisheries Research Institute conducts a on-shore survey of Takeshima Read ≫
June 10, 1953 The Shimane Prefectural Government issues sea lion hunting licenses to three prospective hunters Read ≫
June 17, 1953 Japanese authorities decide to reinforce control over poaching on and around Takeshima, after “Shimane-Maru’s survey Read ≫
June 18, 1953 Shimane Prefecture grants the Oki Islands Federation of Fisheries Co-operative Association fishery rights to collect seaweed and shellfish Read ≫
June 27, 1953 The Japanese Coast Guard and Shimane Prefecture conduct a on-shore survey Read ≫
July 12, 1953 Patrol Ship ‘Hekura’ comes under fire at Takeshima (4th Special Control Campaign) Read ≫
August 3, 1953 5th Special Control Campaign executed in the waters surrounding Takeshima Read ≫
October 6, 1953 10th Special Control Campaign executed in the waters surrounding Takeshima Read ≫
August 23, 1954 Patrol Ship ‘Oki’ comes under fire (28th Special Control Campaign) Read ≫
September 25, 1954 The Japanese Government proposes to the Korean Government to refer the dispute to the International Court of Justice Read ≫
October 28, 1954 The Korean Government refuses Japan’s proposal of referring the dispute to the International Court of Justice Read ≫
November 21, 1954 Japanese Coast Guard Patrol ships Oki and Hekura come under bombardment (30th Special Control Campaign) Read ≫