Shimpei Okuhara 
Manabu Sakai (second from left), Minister in charge of Territorial Issues, participates in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the touring exhibition at KITTE in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo (©Sankei by Shimpei Okuhara).
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A traveling exhibition organized by the National Museum of Territory and Sovereignty opened on January 20. The museum, dedicated to Japan's territorial issues, hosted the event in KITTE, a commercial complex in JP Tower, Tokyo. Running through January 27, the exhibition examined the historical background of the Senkaku Islands (Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture).
One highlight of the exhibition was the reproduction of key historical documents related to the Senkaku Islands. These included a January 14, 1895, cabinet decision document formalizing the islands' incorporation into Japanese territory.
Another notable item on display was a 1920 letter of appreciation from the Republic of China's consul in Nagasaki. Addressed to the people of Ishigaki for rescuing Chinese fishermen who had drifted to the Senkaku Islands, the letter made a clear reference to the area. It explicitly described it as "Imperial Japan's Senkaku Islands in Yaeyama District, Okinawa Prefecture."
China's Shifting Claims
In December 1971, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially claimed sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands. However, historical records indicate that until the 1970s, no objections were raised regarding Japan's sovereignty over the islands.
The touring exhibition highlighted these shifts through panel displays featuring examples from editions of the World Atlas. These editions were published by China's State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping, which was then equivalent to Japan's Geospatial Information Authority.
In the 1960 edition, the Senkaku Islands were depicted on a page featuring Japanese territory. By the 1972 edition, however, the islands were removed from Japan's page. They were instead listed under Chinese territory with the name Diaoyu Islands, China's term for the Senkaku Islands.
The exhibition also covered Takeshima (Okinoshima Town, Shimane Prefecture), which South Korea claims, and Japan's Northern Territories (occupied by Russia in the immediate postwar period). Additionally, the exhibition featured panels presenting the perspectives of China, South Korea, and Russia.
Impartial Judgement
At the opening ceremony of the touring exhibition, Manabu Sakai, Minister for Territorial Issues, expressed his hopes for the event. "As the organizer, we would feel fulfilled if visitors deepen their understanding of territorial preservation," he stated.
Former Minister for Economic Revitalization Yoshitaka Shindo highlighted the broader significance of territorial issues. He also serves as the chairman of the bipartisan League of Members of Parliament Acting for the Protection of Japanese Territory.
"Resolving these disputes is not about the size of the islands or their economic value," he said. "It is about the very foundation of our nation. I hope people will fully grasp this point."
The exhibition features a panel titled "In Conclusion — Think About It," which invites visitors to critically analyze the issue:
"You might hear explanations that differ from or even deny the ones presented here. Imagine you're a judge and consider which claim is more credible. Also, reflect on how differences in opinion could be resolved."
The panel further explains how to evaluate materials used as evidence in territorial disputes. Key considerations include whether the materials would be accepted as strong evidence in international courts. Additionally, it examines whether the claims based on these materials are grounded in accurate interpretations of the evidence.
RELATED:
- Japan's Three Territorial Problems Viewed Under the Glare of International Law
- The Senkaku Islands: What's Coming?
- Northern Territories, New Push for Their Return to Japan
Author: Shimpei Okuhara, The Sankei Shimbun
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