Latest 15 of 18 Total Comments Show All

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  onlineparasite at 09:07 PM JST - 15th July

  The decision was to teach students that Japan claims sovereignty over the islands but also to teach them about the disputes taking places with S Korea and that both have different opinions about it.

  I kinda feel if S Korea took the first step, they would just put in the text books that those islands are S Korean and end of story.

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  OssanULTRA at 09:28 PM JST - 15th July

  Regardless of the merits of each sides arguments, I have little respect for SKorea's manner in which they are dealing with this. Firstly, no matter who claims soverignty, the SKoreans have already occupied the islands. In other words, they already have it. Secondly, what goes into the textbooks within Japan isn't SKorea's concern to start with. How would they like to have other countries constantly harping on the contents of SKorean textbooks? What do SKOrean textbooks say about these islands? I'm sure they simply state they are SKorean. Seems like SKorea is implementing the anti-japan card that China used, expect that China has already discarded it.

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  some14some at 10:33 PM JST - 15th July

  what goes into the textbooks within Japan isn't SKorea's concern to start with.

  Ignorance is bliss, it is not only S.Korea's concern but of World concern, ask any historian if any doubt.

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  nandakandamanda at 11:15 PM JST - 15th July

  Two islands in the sea with a long history of changing hands.

  One country says "Let's look at both sides' arguments and move forward towards a harmonious agreement."

  One country says, "These islands belong to us. Period. Not negotiable. Let's discuss things peacefully together." This side has already ocupied and fortified above and below the surrounding sea.

  Er, hello, anyone at home?

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  RepublicofTexas at 11:20 PM JST - 15th July

  South Korea has no more right to dictate what can and can't be in Japanese textbooks as the Japanese have no right to interfere in Korean education.

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  thepro at 11:29 PM JST - 15th July

  Koreans are really intense

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  zzuno at 11:41 PM JST - 15th July

  Dokdo is in the territory of COREA. japanese lying about Dokdo, they knew that. japanese school book published in 1928 was written that Ulengdo and Dokdo were in Chosun which was before Corea

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  OssanULTRA at 11:55 PM JST - 15th July

  "Ignorance is bliss, it is not only S.Korea's concern but of World concern, ask any historian if any doubt."

  There is no basis in law in any country or under any international organization of any nature which recognizes the right of any country to have a say in the textbooks used in another soveriegn country, no matter how much they may disagree with it. In fact, remarkably many Bi-lateral treaties reiterarate this point. What goes on within Japan is hardly the world's concern, especially working in textbooks.

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  OssanULTRA at 11:57 PM JST - 15th July

  If the South Koreans are so sure of their position, let them go to aribtration before an international forum. Japan has suggested this at least twice and each time South Korea has refused.

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  nandakandamanda at 12:21 AM JST - 16th July

  Two brothers and two toys. The younger brother has taken both and refuses to share. A good parent loves both and wishes to see them mature and cooperate in harmony. This good parent would take the toys out of the younger brother's hands and put them on a high shelf, until both brothers promise from their hearts to learn to share.

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  MisterM at 12:30 AM JST - 16th July

  It is not new for me such issue. There are maps in my school that show that Takeshima ou Dokdo is belonged to Japan, but regardless of who own the islets I believe that both are wrong. South Korea for making a big deal with such issue about Japan's education. Who cares about what other country teach about the issue? The USA also teach the wrong history about Japan, making them looks bad toward the American society and making the Americans looks good towards themselves just to feed their national pride that is declining gradually with their bad economy and debts that they have, and still Japan does not make a big deal asking for compesation or something like that. Russians killed thousands of people during the iron cort and they still dont ask for any money or something else. Chinese killed thousands of Koreans during the Korean war and Korea does not ask for any compesation. So why making a big deal with a simple islets?

  Japan also needs to improve its relationship with its neighbors, especially Korea. Now is the time to improve and not to care about past, if the politicians believe that Takeshima is belonged to Japan, just aprove such motion by saying that Japanese side believe that Takeshima belong to Japan, but meanwhile Korean has their claim over the islets too. But dont pass such movie saying that Takeshima is from Japan and Korea accept such fact anyway because it will not only looks a lye, but also it will irritate our neigbors. Tell what Japan believe, and at the same time let Japanese children know that the same islets is claimed by Korean side, making the history become more fair both for japanese side as well as korean side.

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  bibric at 05:36 AM JST - 16th July

  As a Korean, the South Korean government's reaction is quite odd in that it is too risky and extreme as shown in the article. Eventually, since the South Korean President Lee Myoung Bak delievered an address in the beginning of this year, indicating that Korea would forget and forgive anything arising from the Japanese wrongdoings for the Japanese annexation for 36 years from 1910 to 1945. At the time, I did not aggree with his idea because the past can not be forgotten and forgiven unless the perpetrator did accept fully its past injustices. Anyway, he is a South Korean president and he has a right to make a partial dicision on the national agenda.

  Ironically, he was betrayed by his partner, the Japanese government.

  In fact, there is a behind story of why this Dokdo issue is politicized at this moment. South Kroean government made a huge mistake on the US beef importation issue. Millions of South Korean people, including high schools, even elementary school students, led serious rallies against the South Korean government over the last three months.

  I feel that two stupid governments, South Korean and Japanese governments made some sorts of plot that can avert the South Korean attention to this Dokdo issue, so as to save the South Korean President in peril of the government collapse.

  Ultimately, it is clear that Dokdo belongs to Korean territory.

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  OssanULTRA at 06:58 AM JST - 16th July

  "Ultimately, it is clear that Dokdo belongs to Korean territory."

  Then perhaps you can shed light on why South Korea has continued to refuse to arbitrate this matter before an international forum? I was under the impression that South Korea was abslutely certain on it's position and that they would like to settle this matter permanently. Am I wrong?

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  JoeBigs at 12:12 PM JST - 16th July

  Then perhaps you can shed light on why South Korea has continued to refuse to arbitrate this matter before an international forum?

  I agree, Japan is willing to bring this to arbitration why wont the Korean government also wish to resolve this issue once and for all?

  Would it not be easy for Korea to prove its point at arbitration rather than use this issue as a way to rally the people behind its government?

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  Seiharinokaze at 06:29 PM JST - 16th July

  So the ambassador went back saying that he will not come back soon? Seeing what happened in the recent years, however, political discord however grim and awkward hasn't affect in any tangible way the commerce and passages of people on the private level between the two countries. Koreans are flooding to Japan walking and seeing everywhere and the trade amount is ever on the rise all the while. Economy and cultural/leisure industry are far ahead of politics and even journalism which once in a while have to go sour, whilst the former reflects people's real motives more candidly. So I believe the situation is not so serious. Besides the Japanese in general are not interested in Takeshima issue. Billows of Korean protest and warning allegation will perhaps slid off them like water drops.

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