뉴스레터

Northeast Asia History Foundation (NAHF) opens an exhibition of 'East Sea and Dokdo in Old Maps' on March 2-9 at the National Assembly Library. The exhibition will display some 40 pieces among 100 the NAHF collected at home and from abroad. The maps on display will include five ones like `Kankyo Dainibon Sizin Zenzu' (Geat Japan New Map produced with government permission) and `Dainibon Zenzu' (Great Japan Map), owned by Hosaka Yuji, professor of Sejong University. NAHF visited with the professor to hear from him about the territorial issue involving Dokdo and his love for Korea. He has been dedicated to studying Korean history and culture- Ed

Q: We've heard that there are maps on display to be made public for the first time. Please introduce them to us.

A: I have had a setback in the process of collecting materials for Dokdo research since many of them were high priced ones. In collecting ancient maps, singer Kim Jang-hoon extended a great helping hand via donations. I would like to use this opportunity to appreciate him. Five pieces will be displayed during the current exhibition including three ones to be shown public for the first time including `Kankyo Dainibon Sizin Zenzu' (Geat Japan New Map produced with government permission) and `Dainibon Zenzu' (Great Japan Map) 'Kankyo Dainibon Sizin Zenzu' ' was compiled by painter and map maker Hashimoto Kyokyuransai in 1868 with the permit from the then Japanese government. The map describes the coastal area of East Sea of Korea as `Joseon Sea' and the area near mainland Japan as `Japan West Sea. It shows contrary to Japan's claim the name of `Japan Sea' was not established until late 19 century. 'Dainibon Zenzu' was made by Japanese army in 1877. It describes the whole Japanese territory in details with the exception of Dokdo. This map rebuffs Japan's claim that it has long held Dokdo historically as its own territory.

Q: Feb. 22 is the day of Takeshima proclaimed by Shinema Prefecture. We see this as an attempt to secure interest in relation to the fishing near Dokdo islet. Do you believe Dokdo issue will find a solution once such economic issues are resolved?

A: Japan included Dokdo as part of Shinema Prefecture in the name of `Takeshima' on Feb.22, 1905 on the `Shinema Prefecture Notification No. 40.'' The territorial issue surrounding Dokdo is not just an economic problem. The 1905 inclusion of Dokto in its territory was for Japan to fight against Baltic fleet of Russia. As the islet is located at the center of East Asia, Japan may see considerable military privilege once the nation takes it. Accordingly, Japan still sees the issue from a military perspective. Japan's strategy is multilateral and comprehensive. It is still seeking to expand its oceanic territories. Given this, it is a fallacy to regard Dokdo issue as a simple economic one.

Q: Japan on Feb. 7 held a national rally calling for the `return of northern territories'' where Prime Minister Hatoyama attended to give a speech. Do you believe, Democratic Party's such action will have impact on the Dokdo issue?

A: Democratic Party cabinet seems to separate the northern territorial issue from Dokdo. The name of `Takeshima' was removed from the reference of a high school textbook though it emerged as a controversial issue in December last year. The Japanese side reversed its decision at the last moment apparently as a result of continued debate within the Democratic Party. This compares with the Liberal Democratic Party where there is no such discussion. Given this, I believe dialogue with the current government is possible on the territorial issue of Dokdo. But we must not let guard off as the situation will change any time since the issue is politically sensitive.

Q: This year marks the 100th anniversary of Japan's annexation of Korea. Japanese and Korean have been increasing their friendly sentiment toward each other over the recent few years. So some people assert that there is no need for Japanese to know about the historical conflicts and scars that occurred 100 years ago. There are many people who say `let bygones be bygones' while stressing the importance of the present and future.

A: It is a naive attitude without knowledge of the counterparts. Japanese have the nature as `samurai' to their bones. Basically they study about the counterpart. They believe Sun Zi Bing Fa's ``100 wins knowing enemies and me'' as truth. In comparison, Koreans tend not to have such way of thinking in line with the Sun Zi Bing Fa as they have been dominated by Yangban (noble class) culture. We need to cooperate with each other but historical issues should be resolved from historical approach. There is no need for the two countries to fight emotionally. We need to come with logical approach in dealing with Dokdo issue rather than emotional one. But sometimes there are some people who distort truth even though we respond logically, so we need to squarely address them.

Q: You hosted the `Dokto Research Institute Lecture' in 2009 alongside research and history lectures for ordinary citizens. What is your motive behind the moves and how has been the response from the citizens?

A: Previously I had a lecture for citizens at a cyber university. The attendants said they could not understand why Japan had been sticking to the territorial rights for Dokdo. I explained the reasons from various aspects. I also plan to hold the second lecture on this issue and hope to conduct more if possible. I am preparing the second edition of the `Dokdo-our history' which will be published sometime in the first half of the year. I plan to go to Japan to collect materials to be inserted into the book.

Q: In addition to Dokdo, you have been carrying out research in many areas. What is the difference between Korea and Japan in terms of research atmosphere and culture?

Due to impact from Confucianism, Korea has been dominated by the culture of `Jeong (情)' (affection or sympathy). In contrast, Japan's culture is reason-oriented. For instance, in the event of an offensive, Koreans tend to forgive with open mind once the counterpart extends heart-felt apology. This is a consequence of sympathetic and emotional culture. But Japan is different. They can forgive only in terms of money or legal settlement. This is a big difference that can be applied in the approach toward Dokdo. There are few people in Korea who can cite logical reasons in claiming Dokdo as part of Korean territories. Many of them respond emotionally. We need to take logical stance rather than emotional one in coping with Dokdo issue and make perusable explanations on Dokto issue to other nations while publicizing the fallacies of Japan's assertion. But Koreans have failed to do so, as seen in the fact that some 90 percent of world maps describe Dokdo as `Takeshima.'

Q: Are they any missions you would like to carry out related to Korea besides Dokdo issue?

A: In addition to Dokto, I have been conducting researches of comparative culture study between Korea and Japan and Japanese governments. I will press ahead with the researches into the three categories going forward. Besides these, I would like to dig into the colonial period. For example, there are many records on Japanese police who supervised independence activists. There can be new facts with the study of the subject from the point of Japanese.

Q: You have been naturalized as a Korean in 2003. How have you come to have interests in Korea?

A: My father ran a lens company with many Koreans residing in Japan and Koreans naturalized as Japanese as business partners. While contacting them, I was attracted into the Korean culture and came to have good impression of Korea. My father frequently praised a Seoul National University professor describing him as ``having superior personality rarely seen among Japanese.'' Against this backdrop, I came to have a good impression of Koreans from the time when I was a child. During my school days, I had many Korean friends. At first, I did not know their nationality. But as time went by they showed me registration card to inform me of their Korean names. In the middle of getting mixed with them, I came to recognize the division of the Korean Peninsula has been closely related to Japan's colonial rule over Korea. So I dreamed of going to Korea for study.

Q: You are now teaching young Koreans. What do you want to stress in teaching them?

A: As I teach university students, I would like to make a comment in comparison with their Japanese counterparts. Japanese youngsters are mainly interested in stable life. I want Korean students not to follow them. The era has already come when Korea can create a world of itself. It can make a role of balancing between China and Japan in Northeast Asia. New order in East Asia has been in the making that cannot exist properly if without Korea. So I hope the young generation of Korea to be equipped with ability, vision and way of thinking to lead the changing trend of the times.

Q: Do you have any recommendation or suggestion on the role of Northeast Asia History Foundation?

A: I believe the organization will be able to play its role on behalf of Korea in forming order in Northeast Asia. It can go toward its own direction while dealing with historical issues. The foundation can also make a contribution to the possible inter-Korean reunification. I hope the foundation to grow while making the most of its merits.