Japan‘s inappropriate claim

The issue on marking the name of the sea between Korea and Japan is highly controversial. Japan argues that the sea should be named as ``Sea of Japan.’’ Setting aside the historical distortion in Japan's arguments, such a claim seems inappropriate.

That’s because the geographic characteristic of the disputed sea does not match Japan's national symbol: its name. Japan is the English expression of ``Nippon,’’ which means ``The Land of Rising Sun.’’ However, the sea which the Japanese government insists to be named after its country is actually where the sun sets down from Japanese people's view, since the sea is located at the west of Japan.

Of course, this obviously contradicts the symbolic character of Japan itself. Rather, the Pacific Ocean which is located at the east of Japan would be the one that seems appropriate to be named ``Sea of Japan.’’ Japan must choose truthfully.

They must change their name, ``The Land of Rising Sun,’’ or forget arguing over the naming of the sea where the sun sets down. If Japan does not choose either of them, it will mean that the Japanese government still has an imperialistic view over other countries and is expressing it by arguing that every sea surrounding Japan should be named after it.

Lee Jin-kun

Student