NERVUN
15-07-2008, 00:33
Surely they could just make an imperialistic claim on these damn rocks!
Takeshima mentioned in school manual / South Korean envoy to be called back
The Yomiuri Shimbun
The territorial dispute between Japan and South Korea over the Takeshima group of islets is referred to in an education ministry manual explaining new middle school curriculum guidelines for social studies released Monday.
The government, which holds the view that the group of islets is Japanese territory, decided to mention South Korea's sovereignty claims over the islets in the manual, although the South Korean government specifically asked Japan not to mention them in the manual at all.
The guidelines will take effect in fiscal 2012.
In protest at Japan's move, the South Korean government said Monday it would temporarily call back to Seoul its ambassador to Japan, Kwon Chul Hyun.
The ministry presented the manual to officials of prefectural boards of education on Monday and explained its content.
"We are mentioning the difference of opinions over Takeshima between our country and South Korea, because we need to have students gain a deeper understanding of [the status of] our territories, just like the issues surrounding the northern territories," the manual says.
The current manual does not mention Takeshima. It is the first time such a manual has referred to the group of islets.
The current manual says teachers should encourage students to pay attention to issues concerning Japan's territories, "including the fact that the northern territories are an integral part of our country's territory, and other issues." The ministry had explained that Takeshima is included among the "other issues."
Initially, the ministry considered having the manual incorporate the phrase "Takeshima is an integral part of our country." The government's decision not to do so reflects a desire not to offend South Korea.
But Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda said mentioning Takeshima in the manual was necessary.
"Of course [students] have to understand issues surrounding our territories," Fukuda told reporters Monday night. "It's necessary for our country."
Fukuda urged South Korea to understand Japan's decision and respond calmly.
"While we're coming from different positions, we need to overcome these differences and try to understand each other more deeply," Fukuda said.
"It's a manifestation of the Japanese government's intention not to harm Japan-South Korea relations and not to make it awkward," Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura said at a press conference Monday afternoon.
The manual, which fleshes out the content of the guidelines, is made by the ministry when curriculum guidelines are revised once every 10 years or so. The manual, along with the guidelines, provides the basic position of the government on certain issues and is used by publishers when they make textbooks and by teachers when they give classes.
Meanwhile in Seoul, in protest at the Japanese government's decision to mention the Takeshima islets in the manual, more than 200 people gathered in front of the Japanese Embassy. Some of the protesters threw eggs at the embassy building.
(Jul. 15, 2008)
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20080715TDY01304.htm
Background information here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takeshima
Seriously though, this move was obviously done by the Fukuda government in the hopes that it would provide a boost to his badly flagging approval rates. The South Korean response is more of the same with the South Korean president currently in trouble and a chance to get some chest thumping going against Japan seen as a sure ratings booster.
BOTH sides can't seem to actually behave like adult nations over what amounts to two piles of rocks. So what do you guys think? Should France claim them as the first Europeans to discover them? Blow them up? What?
Takeshima mentioned in school manual / South Korean envoy to be called back
The Yomiuri Shimbun
The territorial dispute between Japan and South Korea over the Takeshima group of islets is referred to in an education ministry manual explaining new middle school curriculum guidelines for social studies released Monday.
The government, which holds the view that the group of islets is Japanese territory, decided to mention South Korea's sovereignty claims over the islets in the manual, although the South Korean government specifically asked Japan not to mention them in the manual at all.
The guidelines will take effect in fiscal 2012.
In protest at Japan's move, the South Korean government said Monday it would temporarily call back to Seoul its ambassador to Japan, Kwon Chul Hyun.
The ministry presented the manual to officials of prefectural boards of education on Monday and explained its content.
"We are mentioning the difference of opinions over Takeshima between our country and South Korea, because we need to have students gain a deeper understanding of [the status of] our territories, just like the issues surrounding the northern territories," the manual says.
The current manual does not mention Takeshima. It is the first time such a manual has referred to the group of islets.
The current manual says teachers should encourage students to pay attention to issues concerning Japan's territories, "including the fact that the northern territories are an integral part of our country's territory, and other issues." The ministry had explained that Takeshima is included among the "other issues."
Initially, the ministry considered having the manual incorporate the phrase "Takeshima is an integral part of our country." The government's decision not to do so reflects a desire not to offend South Korea.
But Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda said mentioning Takeshima in the manual was necessary.
"Of course [students] have to understand issues surrounding our territories," Fukuda told reporters Monday night. "It's necessary for our country."
Fukuda urged South Korea to understand Japan's decision and respond calmly.
"While we're coming from different positions, we need to overcome these differences and try to understand each other more deeply," Fukuda said.
"It's a manifestation of the Japanese government's intention not to harm Japan-South Korea relations and not to make it awkward," Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura said at a press conference Monday afternoon.
The manual, which fleshes out the content of the guidelines, is made by the ministry when curriculum guidelines are revised once every 10 years or so. The manual, along with the guidelines, provides the basic position of the government on certain issues and is used by publishers when they make textbooks and by teachers when they give classes.
Meanwhile in Seoul, in protest at the Japanese government's decision to mention the Takeshima islets in the manual, more than 200 people gathered in front of the Japanese Embassy. Some of the protesters threw eggs at the embassy building.
(Jul. 15, 2008)
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20080715TDY01304.htm
Background information here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takeshima
Seriously though, this move was obviously done by the Fukuda government in the hopes that it would provide a boost to his badly flagging approval rates. The South Korean response is more of the same with the South Korean president currently in trouble and a chance to get some chest thumping going against Japan seen as a sure ratings booster.
BOTH sides can't seem to actually behave like adult nations over what amounts to two piles of rocks. So what do you guys think? Should France claim them as the first Europeans to discover them? Blow them up? What?