South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on February 22 strongly protesting Japan's repeated claims to Dokdo and urging the immediate abolition of "Takeshima Day" events.
"We strongly protest Japan's continued unjust territorial claims over Dokdo," the ministry said in a statement issued under the spokesperson's name. "We once again solemnly urge the immediate abolition of 'Takeshima Day' events."
The ministry emphasized that "Dokdo is clearly our inherent territory historically, geographically, and under international law. The Japanese government must immediately cease its unjust and baseless claims to Dokdo and face history with humility."
Japan's Shimane Prefecture held its annual "Takeshima Day" event on the same day. The prefecture designated February 22 as "Takeshima Day" by ordinance, marking the date in 1905 when Japan announced the incorporation of the islands. The prefecture has held the event annually since 2006.
Among Japanese government officials, a vice-ministerial level parliamentary secretary from the Cabinet Office has attended the event since 2013. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi argued during a debate in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election last September that "wouldn't it be good for a minister to proudly attend Takeshima Day?" However, this year again only a Cabinet Office parliamentary secretary attended, apparently in consideration of improving Japan-South Korea relations.