The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Feb. 22 blasted Shimane Prefecture of Japan's hosting of a "Takeshima Day" event, which used the Japanese name for Dokdo Island, attended by a high-ranking official from the central government and urged an end to the practice. (Korea.net DB)

By Kang Gahui

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Feb. 22 condemned the hosting of a "Takeshima Day" event by Japan's Shimane Prefecture in which a high-ranking official from the Japanese central government attended, urging an immediate abolition of the ceremony.

Taekshima is the Japanese word for Dokdo.

In a spokesperson's statement, the ministry said, "We strongly protest Japan's repeated unjust claims of sovereignty over Dokdo," adding, "We again sternly urge the immediate abolition of the event."

"Dokdo is clearly our integral territory historically, geographically and under international law," it added. "The Japanese government must stop its unfair and groundless claims to Dokdo at once and face history with a humble attitude."

The same day, the ministry summoned Hirotaka Matsuo, deputy chief of mission at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, to the ministry compound to lodge a protest.

Enacting a related ordinance in 2005, Shimane since 2006 has hosted the event every Feb. 22 to lay claim to Dokdo. A vice-ministerial level official from Japan's central government has attended the event since 2013, with this year's representative being Naoki Furukawa, parliamentary vice minister for the Cabinet Office.

kgh89@korea.kr