Japan has claimed a group of South Korean islands, Dokdo, as its own again in its 2024 Diplomatic Bluebook, approved by the cabinet on April 16. Tokyo also reaffirmed its stance on the Korean Supreme Court’s ruling ordering Japan to pay 200 million won in compensation to victims of forced labor as “unacceptable.”
The bluebook referred to South Korea as a “partner,” marking the first acknowledgment of this kind since 2010, a sign that the relationship between the two nations has improved.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan issues the Diplomatic Bluebook, an annual report on Japan’s foreign policy, every April. In this year’s report, the Japanese government stated that Dokdo is “inherently Japanese territory, both historically and under international law.” The report also explicitly declared that it “cannot accept” the Korean Supreme Court’s ruling that ordered Japanese companies to compensate Korean victims of forced labor during Japan’s 1910-1945 colonial rule. This language mirrors that of the previous year.
However, unlike last year’s bluebook, where the same statement was emphasized twice in both the overview and detailed sections, it was mentioned only once in the detailed section this year. This adjustment reflects Japan’s recent diplomatic approach, which prioritizes its relationship with South Korea.
Regarding South Korea, the bluebook specifies that “South Korea is an important neighboring country we must cooperate with as a partner in addressing the many challenges facing the international community.” This year’s statement added “as a partner” to last year’s phrase. Japan last removed the reference to South Korea as a partner in 2010 and reinstated it this year.
Korea strongly protested the claims related to Dokdo. Korea’s foreign ministry summoned Taisuke Mibae, the deputy chief of mission at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, over the claims made in the bluebook. “The government strongly protests against the Japanese government’s repeated territorial claims over Dokdo, which is clearly Korean territory historically, geographically, and under international law,” said Lim Soo-suk, a foreign ministry spokesperson.
