(OCTOBER 22-28)

According to reports, Japan has strongly protested the recent visit of the Takeshima islands by 15 South Korean lawmakers despite Tokyo’s earlier demand to cancel that trip. This step by Seoul seems to further deteriorate the recent strained bilateral relationship between the two countries, as both of them claim sovereignty over that island. In Tokyo, Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura stated that the recent visit was extremely regrettable and unacceptable to Japan. 1

• 1. “15 S. Korean lawmakers visit Takeshima islands”, Yomiuri Daily, October 24, 2012, at http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T121024003351.htm