Japan lodged a protest with South Korea over military drills it conducted on disputed Takeshima islands

Takeshima Island

• Takeshima Island, also known as Dokdo in South Korea and Takeshima in Japan is a small island in the middle of the Sea of Japan.
• Situated in the middle of the Sea of Japan, Takeshima Island is approximately equidistant between the Korean Peninsula and Japan.
• The islands, consisting of two main islands and around 30 smaller rocks, have also been referred to as the Liancourt Rocks, named by French whalers after their ship in 1849.

Features

• Takeshima Island is the symbol of Gamagori City and is connected to shore by a 387 meter bridge.
• On the island is a Yaotomi Shrine, in dedication to the Buddhist goddess Benzaiten
• In winter, migratory birds from Siberia also make an appearance here as well.

Sea of Japan

• The Sea of Japan, a marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean, holds significant geographical and geopolitical importance.
• It is located in Eastern Asia, bounded by Japan and Sakhalin Island to the east, and by Russia and Korea on the Asian mainland to the west.
• The sea itself occupies a deep basin and is separated from the East China Sea to the south by the Tsushima and Korea Straits, while the La Perouse (or Soya) and Tatar Straits separate it from the Sea of Okhotsk to the north.

Significance

• The Sea of Japan holds economic significance for the countries surrounding it. Rich in marine resources and strategic shipping routes, the sea supports thriving fishing industries, facilitates trade, and serves as a vital transportation corridor.
• The exploration and exploitation of energy resources, Such as oil and gas reserves, also contribute to the sea’s economic importance.
• It is home to diverse ecosystems and plays a crucial role in regional climate patterns.
• Its waters support a variety of marine life, including numerous fish species and endangered cetaceans.
• Environmental conservation efforts are necessary to protect the sea’s biodiversity and maintain its ecological balance.