By Kang Hyun-kyung
Staff Reporter
The Japanese government stepped up its hard line stance on Dokdo, Tuesday, announcing a plan to educate students that the islets are part of its territory from next year, three years earlier than scheduled, local television news reported.
Initially, Japan was to introduce the non-binding educational guidelines from 2012.
However, it suddenly shifted to a tougher position a day after it announced the use of the guidelines describing Dokdo as belonging to Japan.
Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Kisaburo Tokai was quoted as saying by SBS that he thinks ``it is important for teachers to be allowed to look at the documents for their class, even before the scheduled year of 2012.''
SBS reported that Tokyo plans to encourage teachers to use the description regarding the islets when they teach students.
The presidential office revealed its discontent with Japan playing hardball for a second day in a row.
A source from Cheong Wa Dae said President Lee Myung-bak will announce his position on Japan's claim on Dokdo today.