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 Takeshima is located in the Sea of Japan about 157 kilometers northwest of the Oki Islands. The islets that constitute Takeshima lie at 37 degrees 14 minutes north latitude and 131 degrees 52 minutes east longitude. It is now part of Okinoshima-cho, Shimane Prefecture.

 Takeshima is comprised of a western island that rises to 157 meters above sea level, an eastern island of slightly lower elevation, and dozens of reefs. The total area of the group is 210,000 square meters, or roughly five times that of the Tokyo Dome. South Korea refers to Takeshima as Dokdo.

 Living conditions are extremely harsh due to the lack of drinking water and other factors. The surrounding area, however, which extends from the Tsushima warm current in the south to where it meets the Liman cold current, has a rich variety and quantity of finfish, shellfish, and edible seaweed. It is known as a prime fishing ground.

 A review of history shows that Takeshima is undoubtedly Japanese territory.One basis for this assertion can be found in the important act of Prefectural Notice #40 promulgated under the name of then prefectural governor Bukichi Matsunaga a century ago, on February 22, 1905.

 “The islands located 37 degrees, 14 minutes, north latitude and 131 degrees 52 minutes east longitude, a distance of 85 nautical miles from the Oki Islands, shall be known as Takeshima, and are hereby under the jurisdiction of the Okinoshima Branch Office of this prefecture.”

 This notice stating that Takeshima was under the jurisdiction of Shimane Prefecture was made in consideration of the decision of the Japanese Cabinet almost a month before, on January 28. The islands, which had in the past been known by such names as Matsushima and the Liancourt Rocks, were thereby designated Takeshima by the government. They decided to incorporate them into Japanese territory and made them part of Shimane Prefecture.

 Prior to the Cabinet decision, it was confirmed that the huts built by an Oki Islands fishing company to be used for sea lion hunting constituted occupation in view of the fact that no traces of occupancy by other countries could be found. Following the proper procedures, they concluded that Takeshima was Japanese territory based on international law-specifically, the laws regarding title of occupation.

 In addition, as part of the postwar process for the Second World War, it was again confirmed that Takeshima was part of Japanese territory by the San Francisco Peace Treaty, which came into force on April 28, 1952.

 South Korea, however, unilaterally declared the Syngman Rhee Line on January 18, 1952, effectively drawing a line in the Sea of Japan and other international waters and including Takeshima as the territory of their own country. Despite the repeated protests of the Japanese government, South Korea later strengthened their de facto control. Takeshima was included in the “provisional area” under the joint control of Japan and South Korea as part of the new Japanese-Korean fisheries agreement that took effect on January 22, 1999. As it stands today, however, Japanese fishing vessels still cannot approach the islands.