Ikegami, Masako

Abstract
Dokdo/Takeshima is a pending territorial dispute between Japan and Korea, which has recently caused increased tension between the two countries as Japan broke its decades-long silence to protest against the ROK’s military occupation of the islet. Combined with another frustrating historical textbook issue, the Dokdo/Takeshima issue has fuelled nationalistic reactions in both countries and caused the disagreement to escalate into a state of diplomatic friction. Given the importance of Japan-ROK bilateral relations for East Asian security and regional peace, such as dealing with the North Korean problem, it is urgent for Japan and the ROK to find constructive and creative measures for conflict prevention and resolution of the Dokdo/Takeshima dispute. This study will first analyse the cause of the Dokdo/Takeshima dispute and consider why the dispute has escalated significantly in the past few years. Secondly, the study will look into the Aland Islands case—a unique settlement of the territorial dispute between Finland and Sweden—which was solved by the League of Nations in 1921. The Aland settlement comprises a unique combination of demilitarization, neutralization, and autonomy of the local people of the Islands. The essence of the Aland model is softening sovereignty for the sake of human security and regional peace. Finally this study will explore the possibility of applying the principle of the Aland case—softening both borders and sovereignty—to solving the Dokdo/Takeshima dispute.
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