A Historical Overview of The Name "Sea of Japan"

日本海呼称-表1-2-3-4 06.6.
12 0:45 PM ページ 2
I. Preface Detailed Information on Cited Studies

Contents
I. Preface・
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II. The process by which the name was established,

and how oceans are given their names・
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・ 2p The Sea of Japan is a sea area located along the northeastern part of the designated areas. In other words, it was countries outside Japan who used the
1. The process by which the name Asian continent. It is separated from the North Pacific Ocean by the name “The Sea of Japan,” before the Japanese became aware of the name.
“Sea of Japan” was established・
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Japanese Archipelago and Sakhalin.
2. Methods used for designating
geographical names・・・・・・・・・・・・
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・・・31p What is more, the name “Sea of Japan” was consistently used by such
Survey of maps in different countries・
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The name “Sea of Japan” is both historically and internationally countries outside Japan both before and after the year of 1910 when Japan 1. Takehide Hishiyama and Masatoshi Nagaoka, "'Nihonkai' koshou no hensen ni
established, and is currently used not only in Japan, but all over the world. annexed the Korean Peninsula, and it is not true that “East Sea” or the tsuite" (Changing in the Name of the "Japan Sea") Technical Document E.3-
1. British Library and the library of
the University of Cambridge・・・・・・
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・・・33p “Sea of Korea” was globally established as names for this sea area during No.1, Geographical Survey Institute of Japan, 1994
2. Bibliotheque Nationale de France・
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・・ 34p Despite this global recognition, in the 1990s, the Republic of Korea that period.
3. The United States Library of Congress・
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・35p (ROK) and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) suddenly 2. Hiroo Aoyama, “Nihon-kai to iu koshou no seiritsu to tenkai –Chizushi kara no
raised objections to the name “Sea of Japan.” Therefore, the reader will understand that there is no evidence to support the apuroochi” (The Formation and Development of the Naming of Nihon-kai
III. Names used for “Sea of Japan” by the United Nations assertions of ROK and DPRK that the name “Sea of Japan” was forcibly (Japan Sea): an Approach from the Map History) Kan-nihonkai chiiki hikakushi
(UN) and other international organizations・・・
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・・ 36p Starting at the Sixth United Nations Conference on the Standardization of applied by Japan in the beginning of the 20th century. kenkyu (The Studies in Comparative History of Circum-Japan-Sea Areas) No.2,
1. The policy of the UN concerning Geographical Names held in 1992 in New York, ROK and DPRK have Niigata University, 1993
the naming of “Sea of Japan”・
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asserted that the Sea of Japan should be known as the “East Sea” or the Furthermore, should the names of land and sea areas known all over the
2. The policy of international organizations
concerning the naming of “Sea of Japan”・・
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・38p “Sea of Korea,” and its name be changed accordingly, or that at least both world be suddenly changed for no reason, not only does this risk create 3. Hiroo Aoyama, “Nihonkai to sono shuuhen chiiki ni okeru chiriteki chishiki no
3. Discussion regarding the naming of “Sea of Japan” the “Sea of Japan” and the “East Sea” should be used together. unnecessary global confusion, but it could work against international keisei to nihonkai no koshou ni kansuru kenkyu” (A Study on Formation of
at the UN Conference on the Standardization of interests by, for example, raising hazards regarding the traffic of aircrafts Geographic Knowledge of the Sea of Japan and Its Surrounding Areas and on
Geographical Names (UNCSGN)・・・・・・・
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The reasons for of the two countries’ assertion was that the name “Sea of and ships. the Name of the Sea of Japan), Faculty of Humanities, Niigata University, 1997
Japan” came about as a result of Japanese imperialism and colonialism in
IV. Representation of the Sea of
Japan by the IHO・・・・・・・・・・・・・
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・ 41p the first half of the 1900s, and that when one looks at historical maps from This pamphlet was created as an effort to comprehensively and objectively 4. Hideo Kawai, “’Nihonkai’ to iu na no datousei to chizu ni okeru kan’you,
various countries, there are few in which the name “Sea of Japan” is used. explain the authenticity of the name “Sea of Japan.” For that purpose, it teichaku no jiki” (The Term “Japan Sea”: Its Reasonable Naming and the Era of
V. Notation of the Sea of Japan in textbooks, academic atlases and employs two approaches ; historical approach through examination of Its Frequent Usage and Firm Establishment in Maps) Umi no kenkyu
commercially available maps in countries around the world・・・・・・
・・・42p However, as will be described below, by the second half of the 1700s the documents such as old maps, and approach from the current situation, (Oceanography in Japan), Vol.10, No.4, The Oceanographic Society of Japan,
1. Outline of the study・
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・・ 42p name “Sea of Japan” had already been in general use amongst the great including practices in various international organizations and school text 2001
2. Results of the study・
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・・ 42p Western maritime powers of the time: Great Britain and France . books.
3. Conclusion from the results of the surveys・
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・ 44p 5. Masataka Yaji, “Sekai to nihon ni okeru kaiikimei ‘Nihonkai’ no seisei, juyou,
By contrast, between the first half of the 1600s and the mid-1800s, Japan We are confident that this pamphlet will convince readers that “Sea of teichaku katei” (Process of the Denomination, Acceptance, and Fixation of the
VI. Conclusion・
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・ 45p pursued a policy of isolationism, under which traffic of people was banned, Japan” is the only name with roots in history and in the world at large, and Sea Name “Japan Sea or Sea of Japan (Nihonkai)” in the World and in Japan),
and trade and diplomacy were conducted only in a limited number of that in the future it must be known exclusively by this name . Chizu (Map) Vol.40 No.1, Japan Cartographers Association, 2002
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1 A historical overview of the name “Sea of Japan” A historical overview of the name “Sea of Japan” 50
日本海パンフ本文+ 06.6.12 0:21 PM ページ 2

and how oceans are given their names
This section examines how the name “Sea of Japan” was These five papers agree on the following points.
established based on the results of investigation into various old
maps. It also makes clear how oceans in general are given their ● The name “Sea of Japan” first appeared in the map “Kunyu
names. Wanguo Quantu” compiled by an Italian missionary priest
Matteo Ricci at the beginning of the 17th century.
● From the 17th to 18th centuries, various names were used for
1. The process by which the name “Sea of this sea area, including “Sea of China,” “Oriental Sea” or
Japan” was established “Oriental Ocean,” “Sea of Korea,” and “Sea of Japan,” partly
because the outlines of the northeastern part of the Asian
(1) Researches into the name “Sea of Japan” in Japan continent and the Japanese archipelago were not fully
understood.
The most detailed discussions in recent years about the name ● From the late 18th century to the early 19th century, a number
“Sea of Japan” are the papers, “Changing in the Name of the of explorers, including the French explorer Jean La Pérouse,
Japan Sea,” co-authored by Takehide Hishiyama and Masatoshi English explorer William R. Broughton and Russian explorer
Nagaoka and published by the Geographical Survey Institute of Adam J. von Krusenstern explored the areas surrounding the
Japan in 1994, and “The Formation and Development of the Sea of Japan, clarifying its shape and the topographical
Naming of Nihon-kai (the Japan Sea): an Approach from the features of its coastal areas. After this period, maps drawn in
Map History” (1993) and “A Study on Formation of Europe began using the name “Sea of Japan” or the “Japan
Geographical Knowledge of the Sea of Japan and Its Surrounding Sea,” and the name became established and internationally
Areas and on the Name of the Sea of Japan” (1997) by Hiroo accepted.
Aoyama. ● During that time, Japan’s Tokugawa Shogunate government
pursued a policy of isolationism, and contact with foreigners
Furthermore, two valuable papers have been published in this was largely banned. The policy of isolationism was abolished
century, including “The term ‘Japan Sea’: Its Reasonable Naming as late as 1854; thus Japan played no direct role in European
and the Era of Its Frequent Usage and Firm Establishment in countries’ printing of the name in maps from the late 18th
Maps” (2001) by Hideo Kawai, and “Process of the century to the early 19th century. Also, Japan had from ancient
Denomination, Acceptance and Fixation of the Sea Name ‘Japan times no custom of naming wide sea areas and began using the
Sea or Sea of Japan (Nihonkai) in the World and in Japan” (2002) name “Sea of Japan” later than the Europeans.
by Masataka Yaji.
*For detailed information on these studies, see page 50.
A historical overview of the name “Sea of Japan” 2

In this light, the name “Sea of Japan” was established in Europe the names “North Sea,” “East Sea,” “South Sea” and “West
between the late 18th century and early 19th century and has been Sea,” based upon the concept of Sinocentrism. The people of
consistently used for 200 years since then. These researchers’ the Korean Peninsula called the Sea of Japan, “East Sea
opinions, therefore, agree that the Korean assertion that Japan (Tonhe),” the people of Japan called it the “North Sea” and
sought to establish the name “Sea of Japan” in the beginning of the people of Tartary called it “South Sea.”
20th century with view of its colonialist and militarist policies is
not correct. As Westerners began to penetrate East Asia in the 16th century,
they gave names to the seas. However, as the Sea of Japan is the
The process by which the name “Sea of Japan” was established East Asian sea that is located the farthest away from the West, it
will be re-examined below, based upon how the area of the Sea of appears that Westerners were unable to get an overall picture of
Japan was represented in old maps from various countries around it. Nevertheless, the Sea of Japan was most often named the
the world. “Sea of China” or the “Oriental Sea.” “Sea of China” and
“Oriental Sea” were names applied not only to the Sea of Japan,
(2) The “Sea of Japan” represented in old maps but also to the East China Sea and North Pacific Ocean in the
near vicinity, and in instances when it was essential to give the
i. The Sea of Japan before the late 17th century Sea of Japan a distinguishing name, it was called the “MARE
ORIENTALE MINUS” (Lesser Oriental Sea).
~ Earliest period~
It is possible to understand the historical background by examining
The existence of the Sea of Japan was known to the people who how the Sea of Japan was described in old maps from various
lived on its coasts , but they did not know what shape it had, or countries around the world.
what kind of people lived across it.
● Map 1 (1602) is the “Kunyu Wanguo Quantu,” compiled by the
Since ancient times, there had been active traffic between Japan Italian missionary priest Matteo Ricci to dedicate to the Ming
and the Korean Peninsula, so both sides were aware of each emperor. This is the oldest known map that describes the sea as
other’s existence; however, there was no common the “Sea of Japan.” It also had a significant impact on the
understanding about what the Sea of Japan was called. At the worldview of the East Asian society. However, it took some
same time, under the influence of the Chinese culture, Japan more time before the name “Sea of Japan” was established
and Korea had no custom of naming broad sea areas, and used globally.
3 A historical overview of the name “Sea of Japan”


Map 1
1602
Nihonkai
“Kunyu Wanguo Quantu” drawn by Matteo Ricci, Beijing
This is the oldest known map that describes the sea as “Sea of Japan.”
The name is written in Chinese characters.

● In Map 2 (1646), “Oceano Boriale del Gappone” (North Sea of

Japan) is written in large characters in the central part of the Sea
of Japan. The northern side of the sea is described as “Ezo Sea”
*―――
in small characters, the western side of the sea is described as
“Mare di Corai” (Sea of Korea) in small characters again, and
the Tsugaru Strait is described as “Ezo Strait” in Italian. The
Pacific Ocean off the south coast of Japan is described as
“OCEANO CINESE” (China Sea).
● It is believed that the name “North Sea of Japan” was applied

because it had been learned through missionaries etc., that in the
Japan the Sea of Japan was called the “North Sea.” However, this
proves that there was no custom of giving a single name to one
sea area. It also appears that due to the overestimation of the area
of Ezo, the outline of the Sea of Japan had not been understood.
*“Ezo” is present-day Hokkaido, the island to the north of Honshu.
● In Map 3 (1650), “Oceanus Ori =” is written across the Sea of
Japan; and the remaining part of the name, “entalis sive Eous” is
written on the Pacific side of Japan. Moreover, the map area
between 30 and 10 degrees north latitude, from the Pacific Ocean
and across to the Indian Ocean, is described as “Oceanus Orientalis Map 2
sive Oceanus Indicus” in large characters, divided into three lines.
The meaning of the Latin are “The Oriental Sea, or the East Sea” 1646
and “The Oriental Sea, or the Indian Ocean” respectively.
OCEANO BORIALE
● Incidentally, the adjective “Oriental” which is used here
signifies the seas of the East from the perspective of the West,
DEL GAPPONE
“ASIA CARTA DI CIASETE PIU MODERNA” drawn by R. Dudley, Florence
and has nothing whatsoever to do with the name “East Sea”
The western side of the sea is described as “Mare di Corai” (Sea of Korea) and the central
used within Korea. portion of the sea area is described as “Oceano Boriale del Gappone” (North Sea of Japan).


1650
OCEANUS ORI=
“ASIE” drawn by N. Sanson d’Abbeville, Paris
The Sea of Japan is described only as “OCEANUS ORI,”
with the remaining part of the phrase, “ENTALIS sive
EOUS,” recorded on the Pacific Ocean along the Japanese
south coast. The Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan are given
the common designation of Oriental, or “EUOS,” with no
recognition of the Sea of Japan as a separate sea area.
Map 3

● In Map 4 (1669), the Sea of Japan is recorded as the “Mer

Orientale ou Du Japon.” Again, this “Mer Orientale” does not
correspond to the Korean “East Sea,” but means the sea of East
Asia from the perspective of West Europe.
● In Map 5 (1682) of Tartary, the Sea of Japan is described as the

“South Sea.” Additionally, in Map 6 (1700), the “Mer
Septentrionale de Japon” means “North Sea of Japan,” but this
name was probably given with consideration to the fact that the
Sea of Japan was known as the “North Sea” within Japan, just as
with the “Oceano Boriale Del Gappone” of Map 2.
Obviously, in the 17th century when the outline of the area of the
Sea of Japan was not yet well understood, a variety of names were
in use. These names are rooted in the geographical position of the
Sea of Japan from the perspective of Western Europe, and
demonstrate the direction in which the Sea of Japan is situated in
relation to the surrounding countries. Map 4
This observation is supported by the results of a study undertaken

by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan, of maps owned by the
United States Library of Congress, which show that 80 of the 107 1669
seventeenth-century maps (or over 70%) do not give a name to the
area of the Sea of Japan. Incidentally, of the maps in that same
MER ORIENTALE
library, there are 13 maps with names that can be interpreted as
“Sea of China,” and three maps with “Oriental Sea.”
OU DU JAPAN
“E. ASIA” drawn by P. Verbiest, Belgium
The Sea of Japan is described as “Mer Orientale ou du Japan”
In addition, among the maps published in the 17th century held in (Oriental Sea or Sea of Japan). However, the geography of the
northern part is inaccurate, with Hokkaido drawn as a peninsula of
three French libraries (the Bibliotheque Nationale de France, the Asian continent, and Etorofu island larger than its actual size.


1682
SOUTH SEA
“GREAT TARTARY”
published by Herman Moll, The Netherlands
As this is a map of Tartary, the Sea of Japan drawn as
seen from northern China and is described accordingly
as “South Sea.” The outline of the northern part is
similar to that of Map 4, but here Korea is drawn as an
island separate from the Asian continent.
Map 5
Map 6
1700
MER
SEPTENTRIONALE
DE JAPON
“L’ASIE” drawn by N. de Fer, Paris
The Sea of Japan is described as “Mer Septentrionale de Japon” (North Sea of Japan),
and the Pacific Ocean along Japan as “Mer Meridionale de Japon” (South Sea of Japan)
in small type. Ezo is represented as an island, but Honshu is shaped like a straight line,
without any bends, and the contours of the Sea of Japan are also poorly drawn. The first
name of the Pacific Ocean is “MER ORIENTALE,” used to mean “oriental.”

Service Historique de la Défense, and the French Archive Korean Peninsula was known by the name “West Sea.” Therefore,
Nationale), which were the subject of a study undertaken by the any attempt to force upon other countries the name “East Sea,”
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan, there was a wide range of which merely denotes the direction of the sea as seen from a
names for the area of the Sea of Japan as shown below. What is certain country and is not used by other countries, surely cannot
striking is that they were, in order of commonness, “North Sea of attain international consensus.
Japan,” “Sea of Japan,” “Oriental Sea,” and “Sea of China,” while
“Sea of Korea” appeared in only three maps. (ii) The Sea of Japan in the 18th century
~From the temporary use of “The Sea of Korea” to the

establishment of “The Sea of Japan”~
In the 18th century the situation surrounding the Sea of Japan

gradually came to be known, but the outline of the northern areas
of the Sea of Japan remained not well understood.
For example, in the 18th century maps held by the United States
Library of Congress that were the subject of a study undertaken by
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, out of those maps in which a name
was given to the Sea of Japan, 47 maps recorded it as “Sea of
In other words, notwithstanding the fact that the countries of the Japan” and 94 as “Sea of Korea.” However, as the outline of the
Korean Peninsula had since the distant past called the sea on the Japan Sea of Japan became better understood, the name “Sea of Korea”
side the “East Sea” (Tonhe), in Japan the Sea of Japan was called the naturally went out of use.
“North Sea.” In addition, from Tatary’s point of view, the Sea of
Japan was the “South Sea.” The fact was that from the perspective of ● In Map 7 (1704), drawn by J.B. Nolin, the area of the Sea of
one country the Sea of Japan was called the “East Sea;” but, seen from Japan is described as the “Mer du Japon” (Sea of Japan). In this
other countries, it was described as the “North Sea,” “South Sea” or map, although Tohoku region of Honshu island is clearly drawn
“West Sea.” This comes to prove that during this period there was no towards north, Hokkaido is drawn as a peninsula of the Asian
globally recognized name on which consensus could be reached. continent. The Pacific Ocean in the extreme east of the map is
Moreover, within South Korea, the sea area to the west of the described as “Océan Oriental.”


1704
MER DU JAPON
“L’ASIE” drawn by Priviledge du Roy, J.B. Nolin, Paris
The central part of the sea is described as “Mer du Japon” (Sea of Japan).
The area extending from what are today the “East China Sea” to the
“South China Sea” is called “Mer de La Chine” (Sea of China), while the
Pacific Ocean is described as “Océan Oriental.”
Map 7

● In Map 8 (1720) the Pacific Ocean is described as “Océan

Oriental” and the Sea of Japan as the “Mer Orientale ou Du
Japon,” In addition, this map describes the western hemisphere
of the Pacific Ocean as the “Mer Du Sud ou Mer Pacifique”
(South Sea, or Pacific Ocean), revealing that there was no
consistency even in the naming of the Pacific Ocean.
● In Map 9 (1735) the Korean Peninsula is not shown, but the

name “MER DE CORÉE” (Sea of Korea) is recorded in the
locations of the Tsushima Strait and the Sea of Japan,
meanwhile the Japanese Pacific coast is described as “MER DU
JAPON” (Sea of Japan).
● In Map 10 (1739), Hokkaido is swallowed up by the Kamchatka

Peninsula, and the north of the Sea of Japan is described as
“Kamchatka Bay,” the Sea of Japan as “Sea of Korea,” the
Pacific Ocean to the south of Japan as “South Sea” and to the
east of Japan as “Sea of Japan.”
1720
MER ORIENTALE
OU DU JAPON
“Mappe-Monde,” drawn by Hubert Iaillot,
published by P. Mortier, Amsterdam.
French-language edition. The present sea area of the “Sea of
Japan” is described as “Mer Orientale ou Du Japon,” while the
Pacific Ocean is described as “Océan Oriental.” Map 8


1735
MER DE CORÉE
“CARTE DE L’EMPIRE DU JAPON”
drawn by Compagnie de Jésus Bellin, France
The Sea of Japan is described as “Mer de Coree” (Sea of Korea)
and the Pacific Ocean as “Mer du Japon” (Sea of Japan)
Map 9
Map 10
1739
MER DE CORÉE
“L’ASIE” drawn by Robert, France
The Sea of Japan is described as “Mer de Coree,” but its
east side is outlined by the Kamchatka Peninsula, which is
over-estimated in size, making the northern part of the
Sea of Japan a continuation of the Kamchatka Bay.
“The sea of Japan” described in the east side of Japan
which is the East pacific Ocean.

● In Map 11 (1744), “MARE ORIENTAL MINUS” (Lesser

Oriental Sea) is recorded in the area of the Sea of Japan, but in
this map there is no record of a “Greater Oriental Sea” as
opposed to the Lesser Oriental Sea, and no name is given to the
Pacific Ocean. It is likely that the Pacific Ocean was meant to be
the “Oceanus Orientalis” and the Sea of Japan described as
“Lesser Oriental Sea.” What is more, if the Korean assertion
that “Oriental” means “East” is true, then there would be no
need to attach the word “MINUS” (Lesser).
● In Map 12 (1749), the Sea of Japan along the Korean Peninsula

coastline is described as “Mer de Corée” (Sea of Korea), the
Pacific Ocean along Japan as “Océan Oriental” (Oriental Sea),
and while the outline of the island of Ezo (Hokkaido) is
somewhat improved, the northern part of Japan’s coastline
facing the Sea of Japan is still far from its real outline;
obviously the shape of the Sea of Japan was still not well
understood.
● In Map 13 (1750), the Sea of Japan along the Korean Peninsula

coastline is described as “Sea of Korea,” along the Honshu
coastline as “Sea of Japan,” and along the Pacific side as “East Map 11
Indian Ocean,” suggesting that in the mid-18th century, there 1744
was still no firmly established way to name sea areas.
MARE ORIENTALE
MINUS
”CARTE DE L’ASIE” drawn by I.M. Hasivs
The Sea of Japan is described as
“Mare Orientale Minus” (Lesser Oriental Sea).


1750
MER DU JAPON,
MER DE CORÉE
“L’EMPIRE DE JAPON” drawn by sR. Robert Geor, France
The Sea of Japan near Honshu is described as “Mer du Japon,” and
near the Korean Peninsula as “Mer De Coree,” while the Pacific
Ocean is described as “Mer des Indes Orientales” (East Indian Sea).
Map 13
Map 12
1749
MER DE CORÉE
“LE JAPON” drawn by Gilles Robert de Vaugondy, Paris
The sea area along the Korean Peninsula is described as “Mer de
Corée” (Sea of Korea), while the Pacific Ocean is described as
“Océan Oriental” (Oriental Sea).

● In Map 14 (1772) the Sea of Japan is described only as “Sea of

Korea” along the Korean Peninsula coastline, while the Pacific
Ocean is described as “South Sea, or Pacific Ocean.”
● The outline of the northern part of the Sea of Japan had

improved still further; and Hokkaido and Sakhalin were shown
as islands. However, their shape and size were still far from the
reality, showing that the outline of the area of the Sea of Japan
was still not well understood.
● In Map 15 (1798) from the end of the 18th century, the Sea of
Japan is described as “Gulf of Corea,” but Hokkaido is split
into three islands and the gap between it and the continent is
unusually narrow, showing that the outline of the northern part
of the Sea of Japan was still not well understood. Moreover,
the “Sea of Okhotsk” and the “North Pacific Ocean” are
described with their modern names. Furthermore, this map Map 14
clearly depicts the far east end of the Asian continent. The
Bering Sea is the furthest to the east as seen from Europe, so it
is described as “Eastern Ocean.”
● Map 16 (1798) is the second nautical chart attached to the

“Voyage de la Pérouse autour du monde.” The west coast of
Hokkaido remains unclear and is marked with a straight line, and 1772
the Tsugaru Strait is drawn very wide; however, the Sea of Japan
as a whole is drawn fairly accurately. The name “Sea of Japan” is MER DE CORÉE
used in this map, and from this point on “Sea of Japan” rapidly “L’Asie divisee selon l'etendue de ses principales parties”
drawn by L.C. Desnos, Paris
becomes the norm.
The Sea of Japan is described as “Mer de Coree,” the Pacific Ocean
as “Mer de Sud” (South Sea) and “Pacifique (Pacific Ocean).”


1798 Map 16
SEA OF JAPAN
“La Pérouse: Chart of discoveries made in 1787 in
the Seas of China and Tartary” London.
English edition of the map attached to “Voyage de la
Pérouse autour du monde.” The northern part of the Sea of
Japan is described in detail, and its central area is
described as “Sea of Japan.”
Map 15
1798
GULF OF COREA
“New map of the empires states provinces of Asia”
drawn by Robert Wilkinson, London
The Sea of Japan is described as “Gulf of Corea.” Hokkaido
appears as three islands, and the contours of the Sea of Japan
are still uncertain.

● In addition, although La Pérouse did not visit Japan, his ship

did stop at ports in Tartary and Sakhalin, where he gathered
various information. As a result, he adopted from Sakhalin
Ainu language the names “Chicha” for Hokkaido and
“Tchoka” for Sakhalin; and for some time after this, these
names appeared in Western maps.
● Map 17 (1799) quickly incorporated La Pérouse’s findings

regarding the outline of the Sea of Japan, and adopted, the name
“Sea of Japan,” for the sea area. This map was published by
Laurie and Whittle in Great Britain, and Arrowsmith in the same
country also published maps which quickly incorporated the
findings of La Pérouse.
The above examination indicates the fact that during the 18th
century the name “Sea of Korea” seems to have been used for a
while, as the outline of the Japanese coast of the Sea of Japan
became clear, the name “Sea of Japan” overwhelmingly came
into use. This leads us to the 19th century, when the name “Sea
of Japan” became predominant.
(iii) The Sea of Japan from the 19th century onwards

Map 17
~ The name “Sea of Japan” takes root~
1799
At the end of the 18th century, the British explorer William R.
Broughton voyaged to Japan; following this, in 1805 Adam J. von
SEA of JAPAN
Krusenstern, who was engaged as a guide by the Russian “ASIA” published by Laurie and Whittle, Great Britain
The outline of the areas around Japan is clearly the same as that in
ambassador Nikolai Rezanov, traveled to the northern part of the "Voyage de la Pérouse autour du monde," and under the influence
of the same map the Sea of Japan is described as “Sea of Japan.”
Sea of Japan on the journey back from Nagasaki. In the seventh


1802
SEA OF JAPAN
“Modern Geography Maps: Japan” published by T Codell, Jun and W. Davis, Great Britain
The Sea of Japan is described as “Sea of Japan.” The outline of Japan is still crudely drawn, but the
Tohoku region stretches to the north, and the shape of the Sea of Japan is somewhat improved. Map 18

chapter of his Journey around the World in the Years 1803, 1804,
1805, and 1806 Volume 3, Krusenstern recorded the following:
“The Sea of Japan is the sea area between the west coast of
Japan, the east coast of Korea and Tartary at a latitude of 45
degrees north, enclosed by the Korean Strait and the La Pérouse
Strait (Soya Strait). People also call this sea area the Sea of
Korea, but because only a small part of this sea touches the
Korean coast, it is more appropriate to name it the Sea of Japan.”
It does not seem likely that the above quotation, which was not
included in the English or French editions of Krusenstern’s Journey
around the World, had much worldwide impact, but through maps
the name “Sea of Japan” became globally accepted, and by the 19th
century this name was widely used across the world.
● Map 19 (1803) is very similar to the map by La Pérouse and the

sea area of the Sea of Japan is recorded as the “Mer du Japon”
(Sea of Japan) and “Manche De Tartarie.” However, while in La
Pérouse’s map the Pacific is described as “Great Ocean” and the
“Great Northern Ocean,” in this map it is described as “Océan
Oriental ou Mer Pacifique.” Map 19
● In Map 20 (1812), the outline of the Sea of Japan has become 1803
still closer to reality, and the name of the sea area is “Sea of
Japan.” The Pacific Ocean is the “Great Ocean,” but part of it, MER DU JAPON
the East China Sea, is “Mer Orientale.” This is the French “Carte de L’Empire de la Chine” drawn by Edme Mentelle,
Pierre-Gregoire Chanlaire, Paris
translation of the Chinese place name, “East Sea,” and no longer
The Sea of Japan is described as the “Mer du Japon” (Sea of Japan).
means “sea in the Orient.” The Pacific Ocean is described as “Océan Oriental ou Mer Pacifique.”


1812
MER DU JAPON
“China” drawn by Malte Brun,
published by Chez Francois Buisson, France
The outline of the Sea of Japan is drawn accurately, and it is
described as “Mer du Japon” (Sea of Japan). The East China
Sea is described as “Mer Orientale” (East Sea).
Map 20

● In Map 21 (1815), the name “Sea of Japan” is recorded, but the

East China Sea near the southern part of the Korean Peninsula is
described as “Eastern Sea,” which is the English translation of
the Chinese name for this sea area. In the first half of the 18th
century, there did exist maps, like those by John Senex of Great
Britain, that described the Sea of Japan as “Eastern Sea,” which
is the English translation of the Korean name for this region.
However, in the United States Library of Congress there are
only five such maps, and in the French Bibliotheque Nationale
de France, Archives Nationale, and the Service Historique de la
Deffense there are none at all. There are very few maps
containing the translation of the Korean name “East Sea,” and
these appear about 100 years after the appearance of maps
containing the translation of the Chinese “East Sea.”
● Map 22 (1817) together with Map 21, is included in the “New

General Atlas.” Since it is a map of Tartary, the Japanese
archipelago is represented more poorly than in Map 21.
However, the area of the Sea of Japan is described as “Sea of
Japan.” In addition, no name is entered for the East China Sea.
● In Map 23 (1817), the area of the Sea of Japan is described as Map 21

“Sea of Japan.” However, the northern part of the area is
described as “Mandschurisches Meer” (Manchu Sea) and
1815
“Sagalischer Meerbusen” (Sakhalin Bay). This map shows SEA OF JAPAN
Sakhalin as a peninsula connected with the Asian continent, and
“Corea and Japan,” published by J. Thomson, Edinburgh.
the outline of the surrounding sea area is unclear. In addition, A page from the “New General Atlas.” The Sea of Japan is
described as “Sea of Japan.” The sea to the south of the Korean
the Pacific Ocean is described as “Great World Ocean.” Peninsula is described as “Eastern Sea.”


1817
SEA OF JAPAN
“TARTARY” drawn by J. Thomson, Edinburgh
A page from the "New General Atlas." The Sea of Japan
is described as “Sea of Japan.”
Map 22
1817
JAPANISCHES MEER
“Charte von Asien” drawn by F.W. Streit,
published by Friedrich Campe, Germany
The Sea of Japan is described as “Japanisches Meer” (Sea of Japan).
Although Sakhalin is drawn as a peninsula of the Asian continent, the
contours of the Sea of Japan are shown more or less accurately. Map 23

● Map 24 (1832) is the Dutch edition of the “Nihon Henkai

Ryakuzu (Sketch Map of Japan’s Environs)” (1809) by
Kageyasu Takahashi, brought back by P.F. Von Siebold. In this
map, the name “Sea of Japan” which was not in the original, has
been recorded.
● As a result of the publication of this map, the outline of the Sea

of Japan came a step closer to reality, but the outline of the Noto
Peninsula and Sado Island was still not right.
● In addition, the Mamiya Strait was named so by Siebold, and

this name is recorded in small letters on the map.
● Map 25 (1835) is a map of Japan that uses Krusenstern’s sea

charts, and makes use of the name “Sea of Japan.” Compared
to the “Nihon Henkai Ryakuzu” some parts of the Japanese
archipelago are represented better, while others are represented
more poorly.
● Map 26 (1851) is J. Rapkin’s map “Japan and Corea.” The Sea

of Japan and the Pacific Ocean are described with their modern Map 24
names, and the Greenwich meridian is recorded more or less
correctly. 1832
JAPANCHE ZEE
“Nippon” drawn by P.F. von Siebold, The Netherlands
The contours of the Sea of Japan in this map are extremely accurate for the time, based on
Kageyasu Takahashi’s “NIHON HENKAI RYAKUZU” (Sketch Map of Japan’s Environs)
(1809) which Siebold obtained and brought back to the Netherlands. In a change from the
original map, the Sea of Japan is described as “Japansche Zee.” The East China Sea is described
as “Tung-hai” in Chinese and “Oost Zee” (East Sea).


1851
SEA OF JAPAN
“Japan and Corea” drawn by J. Rapkin, published by John Tallis, London Map 26
Map 25
1835
SEA OF JAPAN
“Empire of Japan,” drawn by J. & C. Walker,
published by Baldwin & Gadock, London.
Makes use of materials from Adam J. von Krusenstern.

● Map 27 (1859) is a map of Asia by W. Hughes drawn about

the time of Japan’s opening to the outside world. The outline 1859
of the areas surrounding the Sea of Japan is fairly accurate,
but the Korean Peninsula is somewhat distorted. The Sea of SEA OF JAPAN
Japan is described as “Sea of Japan” and the East China Sea “Asia” drawn by W. Hughes, United Kingdom
This map was drawn after the opening of Japan to the
is described as “East Sea.” outside world, so the contours of the Sea of Japan’s
environs have somewhat improved. The Sea of Japan
is described as “Sea of Japan” and the East China Sea
● Map 28 (1864) is “Japan, Mandshuria, the Kurile Isles, etc.” as “East Sea.”
drawn by John Bartholomew. Although the outline of the
Korean Peninsula and the Shimokita Peninsula is still distorted,
the Sea of Japan is described as “Sea of Japan.”
● In Map 29 (1865), the Sea of Japan is recorded as “Mer du

Japon,” but the Pacific Ocean is described as “Grand Ocean”
(Great Ocean) and the East China Sea as “Blue Sea, or East”
Sea” (Ton-Hai)
● In this map, “Sea of China” is a name given to the South China

Sea, and next to it the Chinese name “Nan-Hai” is entered in
parentheses.
Map 27


1864
SEA OF JAPAN
“Japan, Mandshuria, the Kurile Isles, etc”
drawn by John Bartholomew, Edinburgh Map 28
Map 29
1865
MER DU JAPON
“Carte general de l’Empire Chinois et du Japon”
drawn by Adrien-Hubert Brue, Paris
The central part of the sea area is described as the “Mer du Japon” (Sea of Japan).

● In Map 30 (1888), the outline of the Korean Peninsula is finally

represented more or less accurately, and once again the Sea of
Japan is described as the “Sea of Japan.” In addition, the Pacific
Ocean is described as “Pacific Ocean” and the Sea of Okhotsk
as “Sea of Okhotsk.”
● Furthermore, although the East China Sea is described as “Tung

Hai or Eastern Sea,” this is a translation of the Chinese name
“East Sea” and does not support ROK’s assertion that “Sea of
Japan” and “East Sea” are synonymous.
● Incidentally, Ezo had been renamed Hokkaido 19 years before,

but in this map it was still described as “Yezo.”
● Map 31 (1892) is a map of Asia included in the New Standard

Atlas by the American company Rand Mcnally & Co. The Sea
of Japan is described as “Japan Sea,” the Sea of Okhotsk as
“Okhotsk Sea” and the Pacific Ocean as “North Pacific Ocean.”
No name is entered for the East China Sea.
● Shapes in this map are generally accurate, but Hokkaido is still

described as “Yesso,” and Tokyo as “Yedo,” both names
Map 30
remaining unchanged despite the fact that they had been
renamed more than 20 years before. If the assertions of ROK 1888
and DPRK that the name “Sea of Japan” became firmly
established as a result of Japan’s imperialistic activities world- SEA OF JAPAN
wide were true, then the changes to these place-names would “CHINESE EMPIRE & JAPAN” drawn by Bartholomew, Italy
surely also have been duly reflected. Therefore, it can be The outlines in the map are more or less accurate. The Sea of Japan is
described as “Sea of Japan,” the East China Sea is described as “Tung
concluded that these assertions are groundless. Hai or Eastern Sea.”


1892
JAPAN SEA
“New Standard Atlas” published by Rand Mcnally & Co., Map 31
United States of America
The Sea of Japan is described as “Japan Sea,” No name is entered
for the East China Sea. The area of Ezo is still described as “Yesso”
23 years after it had been renamed Hokkaido. “Japan Sea,” too, was
not a name proposed by Japan but rather one applied spontaneously
by foreign countries. foreign countries.

● Map 32 (1897) is a map of East Asia by the German company

A. Herrich in it, the Sea of Japan is the “Japaniches Meer,” but
the Pacific Ocean is the “Grosser oder Stiller Ozean” (Great
Ocean, or Calm Ocean), both some slightly different old names.
Tokyo has become “Tokio” but Hokkaido is still described as
“Jesso.”
● Map 33 (1900) is the map of east asia by the British company

Stanford. The Sea of Japan is described as the “Japan Sea.”
● In the maps possessed by the United States Library of

Congress, the first mentioning of the English name “Japan Sea”
is in the 1814 “Map of China” by the Carey company. This
name appears later than the name “Sea of Japan.” It is
frequently used in maps drawn in the United States after the
mid-19th century.
From the above it can be concluded that, as the outline of the Sea
of Japan became better understood, the name “Sea of Japan”
naturally became predominant.
The name “Sea of Korea” was used to describe the area of the Sea
of Japan only temporarily for a period of around 80 years between Map 32
the 1720s and 1800; This was due to the fact that the north part of
the Sea of Japan was not known well, and the outline of the sea 1897
area remained unclear. What is more, the name “Oriental Sea”
which was used before the name “Sea of Japan” to describe this
JAPANISCHES MEER
sea area, was not a translation of the Korean name for the sea, but “OSTASIEN” published by A. Herrich, Germany
The Sea of Japan is described as “Japanisches Meer,” and 28 years after
rather signified a sea located in the Orient as seen from the West. having been renamed Hokkaido, the island is still described as “Jesso.”


1900
JAPAN SEA
“Stanford’s map of Empires of China and Japan
with the adjacent parts of the Russian Empire
India, Burma &c.” drawn by Stanford, published
by Stanford, United Kingdom
The Sea of Japan is described as “Japan Sea,” but the
Tsugaru Strait is described as “Sangar Strait” and 31
years after having been renamed Hokkaido, the area is
still described as “Yesso.”
Map 33

However, as the geographic characteristics of East Asia became the overwhelming majority. Since Japan was opened up to the
clearer, this name too went out of use naturally. outside world in 1854 and the port of Yokohama opened in 1859,
the Korean assertions that the name “Sea of Japan” came into
Among the maps possessed by the United States Library of dominant use across the world as a result of Japan’s imperialism
Congress whose year of publication is clear, the last map in which are completely groundless.
“Gulf of Corea” is used in the world map published by Charles
Desilver in the United States in 1856; since the second half of the It usually takes a while for names on the maps to be revised.
19th century, only this and other two maps have used the place Thus, the assertions of Japanese scholars that the establishment
name “Gulf of Corea.” Moreover, the last map to use “Sea of of the name “Sea of Japan” took place from the late 18th century
Korea” was the map of Asia published by Jeremiah Greenleaf in to the beginning of the 19th century as the outline of the Sea of
the United States in 1840. Japan became better understood clearer, are clearly supported by
the studies of antique maps from various countries conducted by
Among the maps possessed by the British Library likewise, the the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan.
map of Asia published by J. Wyld in 1845 was the last to include
“Gulf of Corea.” 2. Methods used for designating
geographical names
Among the maps possessed by the Bibliothèque nationale de
France, there are only four maps from the first half of the 19th The process by which the name “Sea of Japan” was established is
century which use the place name “Sea of Korea” with the last as described above. Ultimately, however, how are sea areas in
being the map of Asia published in 1829. By contrast, the archives general given their names?
contain 97 maps published in the first half of the 19th century
which use the place name “Sea of Japan.” Hideo Kawai, the aforementioned Japanese researcher, examined
the geographical validity of the name "Japan Sea" in a paper
The above are the results of the surveys on maps of the area of the presented to the Oceanographic Society of Japan in 2001. Kawai
Sea of Japan issued by countries other than Japan and the countries pointed out that the most frequently used method of naming sea
of the Korean Peninsula. They show that the last map that areas separated from an ocean is to use the name of a major
described this area as “Sea of Korea” was published in 1856 in the archipelagic arc or a peninsula that separates the sea area in
US. Moreover, from the beginning of the 19th century, maps question from the ocean. The examples he cited include the "Sea
describing the area of the Sea of Japan as “Sea of Japan” become of Japan," the "Andaman Sea" (separated from the Indian Ocean


by the Andaman Islands), the "Gulf of California" (separated from the late 18th century to the early 19th century. As such, the
the southeastern part of the Northern Pacific Ocean by the name itself does not imply any political intent.
California Peninsula), the "Irish Sea" (separated from the
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs ; Japan has conducted field
northeastern part of the North Atlantic Ocean by Ireland) and so
on. studies into how the area of the Sea of Japan was represented in
antique maps possessed by libraries in the United Kingdom,
According to Kawai, the "East Sea," name advocated by ROK, France and the United States. The outline of these studies is
is based upon another method of naming, a method that names a presented below.
sea area based upon a direction from a specific country or region
(For details, refer to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs homepage
toward that sea area. Examples include the "North Sea" and the http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/maritime/japan/index.html)
"East China Sea." However, according to Kawai, a comparison
of the naming methods used for the "East Sea" and for the "Sea
of Japan" shows that while the "East Sea" is a subjective name
as viewed from the geographical locations of ROK and DPRK,
the "Sea of Japan" is a name that focuses on the geographical
feature --the Japanese Archipelago--that is indispensable for the
existence of this sea area. Herein lies the objective validity of
the use of the name "Sea of Japan," Kawai concludes.
Thinking along these lines, the Sea of Japan is bounded from

east to south primarily by the Japanese Archipelago, and from
north to west by the Asian continent, whereas the coastline of
ROK and DPRK is limited to the southwestern part, and in terms
of length too comprises a mere fifth of that of the total coastline.
Krusenstern’s opinion that “it is more appropriate to name it the
Sea of Japan,” is the natural conclusion indeed.
The name of “Sea of Japan” is based upon the geographical

features of this sea area and its established use in Europe from

1. British Library and the library of the the 58 maps examined used the name “East Sea”. This therefore
University of Cambridge confirms the Japanese assertion that “the name ‘Sea of Japan’
became established and accepted in Europe from the end of the 18th
From October 2002 to June 2003, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs century to the beginning of the 19th century at a time when Japan
conducted a study of the ancient maps possessed by the British was still under its policy of isolationism, being unable to exert
Library and the University of Cambridge that were published in international influence.” Furthermore, the study also clarifies that
Europe between 1801 and 1861 to examine the naming on these the assertion by ROK that “the name ‘Sea of Japan’ became widely
maps of the area of the Sea of Japan. The results confirmed that the used as a result of Japan’s imperialism and colonialism during the
name “Sea of Japan” has been used with overwhelming frequency in first half of the 20th century,” is groundless.
maps drawn up in Europe since the end of the 18th century. None of


2. Bibliotheque Nationale de France

From October 2003 to January 2004, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
conducted a study of the maps possessed by the Bibliotheque
Nationale de France that were published between the 16th and the
19th century concerning the naming on those maps of the area of the
Sea of Japan. The results of the study showed that of 407 maps for
which a name was recorded for the Sea of Japan area, 249 or 61.2%
bore the name “Sea of Japan,” while only 60 or 14.7% bore the name
“Sea of Korea.” In addition, of the maps that were studied on this
occasion, of those published in the first half of the 19th century,
90.0% or 99 maps bore the name “Sea of Japan” and of the maps
published in the latter half of the 19th century 100% or 105 maps
bore the same name. This reconfirms Japan’s assertion that “the
name ‘Sea of Japan’ became established and accepted in European
maps from the beginning of the 19th century.”

3. The United States Library of Congress bear the name as "Sea of Japan." The study makes clear that of the
maps published in the 19th century, in particular out of a total of
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs conducted a study from December 563 maps that were published while Japan was still in its policy of
2004 through March 2005 of the maps published from the 14th to isolation from the rest of the world, a total of 74% or 417 bear the
19th centuries in possession of the United States Library of name "Sea of Japan." These findings reaffirm Japan’s assertion
Congress with regard to the naming on maps of the area of the Sea that "the name 'Sea of Japan' became established in Europe and the
of Japan. The findings of the study show that of the 1,436 maps for US from the beginning of the 19th century at a time when Japan
which a name is recorded for the region of the Sea of Japan, 77% was still under its policy of isolation, being unable to exert
bear the name "Sea of Japan." Moreover, this study shows that of international influence."
the maps published in the 19th century, 82.4%, or 1,059 maps,

III. Names used for “Sea of Japan” by the United Nations

(UN) and other international organizations
1. The policy of the UN concerning the
naming of “Sea of Japan”
In response to the enquiry by the Government of Japan, the United

Nations Secretariat officially replied on 10 March 2004, that “Sea
of Japan” is the standard geographical term and as such is to be
used in official documents of the UN. It is confirmed that the name
“Sea of Japan” is authorized by the UN which is the most
comprehensive and neutral international organization with the
participation of 191 member states including both Japan and ROK,
and the most proper forum to represent the collective will of the
international community. The UN policy concerning the naming of
“Sea of Japan” can be confirmed in the maps drawn up by the
organization.
Concerning the unfounded argument that it is fair to designate

simultaneously different names as each party claims when there is
a dispute over the name of geographical features, the United
Nations Secretariat clarifies its position that it observes the
prevailing practice of the single use of “Sea of Japan,” explaining
that dual designation breaches the prevailing practice and infringes
the neutrality of the United Nations, and that fairness and
neutrality can be achieved only through the observance of the
practice.
The map drawn up by the UN in which

“Sea on Japan” is noted.

The map drawn up by the UN in which

“Sea on Japan” is noted.

III. Names used for “Sea of Japan” by the United Nations (UN)
and other international organizations
2. The policy of international organizations United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations
concerning the naming of “Sea of Japan” Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), United Nations
Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), United Nations
The Government of Japan, upon confirming the policy of the UN on Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near
the issue of the naming of “Sea of Japan,” made the same enquiry to East (UNRWA), United Nations Volunteers (UNV), World Food
the following international organizations. Each of the organizations Programme (WFP), World Intellectual Property Organization
confirm that they have adopted the same policy as the UN. (WIPO), World Trade Organization (WTO).
●International organizations which have confirmed

a policy of using the single name of “Sea of Japan” 3. Discussion regarding the naming of “Sea
of Japan” at the UN Conference on the
Preparatory Commission Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban
Standardization of Geographical Names
Treaty Organization (CTBTO Prep.com), Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations (FAO), International Atomic
(UNCSGN)
Energy Agency (IAEA), International Civil Aviation (1) The UNCSGN
Organization (ICAO), International Fund for Agricultural
Development (IFAD), International Labour Organization (ILO), The UNCSGN is an intergovernmental conference which discusses
International Maritime Organization (IMO), International the standardization of geographical names, definitions of terms
Organization for Migration (IOM), International Seabed related to geographical names and methods of nomenclature from
Authority (ISA), International Tribunal For the Law of the Sea a technical point of view, and has been convened every five years
(ITLOS), Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons since 1967. Discussion on the naming of “Sea of Japan" has been
(OPCW), Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS carried out at this conference and at the United Nations Group of
(UNAIDS), United Nations Conference on Trade and Experts on Geographical Names (UNGEGN), the preparatory
Development (UNCTAD), United Nations Environment meeting to the UNCSGN in which experts in geography and
Programme (UNEP), United Nations Educational, Scientific and linguistics take part.
Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), United Nations
Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR),

(2) Discussions on the issue of the naming of Sea of ii. The 8th UNCSGN (August-September 2002)
Japan at the UNCSGN
ROK and DPRK assert that “Sea of Japan” should be renamed
i. The raising of the issue of the naming of “East Sea,” or “Sea of Korea” (DPRK’s assertion), and also that
“Sea of Japan” by ROK, etc. both names should be simultaneously used as an interim measure
. in compliance with UNCSGN Resolution III/20 until consensus
It was at the 6th UNCSGN conference in September 1992 that was reached over the case.
ROK and DPRK first raised the issue of the naming of “Sea of
Japan” to the UN. Thereafter, these countries have repeated their The Government of Japan stated their position that the purpose
assertions at the UNCSGN and UNGEGN. The assertion of ROK of the UNCSGN was to standardize geographical names and
and DPRK is that the naming of “Sea of Japan” came about as a unify methods of nomenclature to avoid confusion over the use
result of Japanese expansionism, and that it is a vestige of of such names, and therefore this conference is not an
Japanese colonial occupation. For this reason, they maintain that appropriate forum to discuss the naming of individual
the name should be changed to "East Sea," or at least, both "East geographical features such as “Sea of Japan.” The Government
Sea" and "Sea of Japan" should be used together. of Japan also raised the following counterarguments: that the
naming of “Sea of Japan” is widely established internationally
The Government of Japan, based upon the results of studies and there is no reason to change it; that UNCSGN Resolution
carried out of antique maps, has adopted the position that the III/20 cannot be applied to conflicts over geographical names,
naming of “Sea of Japan” has already become widely like “Sea of Japan,” which are not under the sovereignty of any
established internationally, and that changing the name or country; that upon accepting the International Convention on
simultaneously using more than one name is undesirable as it Load Lines of 1966 in 1969, ROK did not have any reservations
would risk creating confusion. Moreover, the Government of about the naming of “Sea of Japan” and moreover, had used
Japan asserted that these technical and specialist conferences are “Sea of Japan” in its own maps until 1992; and that this case
not appropriate for discussions on such cases where the naming should be resolved through bilateral talks.
of individual geographical features was at issue.
iii. The 22nd UNGEGN (April 2004)
Discussions on the issue of the naming of “Sea of Japan” at the
UNCSGN and UNGEGN are outlined below. ROK asserted that (i) An increasing number of renowned map
publishers throughout the world have begun to use both names,

III. Names used for “Sea of Japan” by the United Nations

(UN) and other international organizations
“East Sea” and “Sea of Japan”, simultaneously; (ii) It is most 1. Recommends that countries sharing a given geographical feature
reasonable to use both names, “East Sea” and “Sea of Japan” under different names should endeavour, as far as possible, to
simultaneously in compliance with resolution of UNCSGN and reach agreement on fixing a single name for the feature concerned;
IHO. 2. Further recommends that when countries sharing a given
geographical feature do not succeed in agreeing on a common
In response, the Government of Japan raised the following name, it should be a general rule of international cartography that
counterarguments: (i) It is not appropriate to discuss this issue of the name used by each of the countries concerned will be accepted.
the naming of any particular geographical feature at this meeting; A policy of accepting only one or some of such names while
(ii) The naming of “Sea of Japan” is geographically and excluding the rest would be inconsistent in principal as well as
historically established and has long been supported and inexpedient in practice.
employed by the UN system and IHO; (iii) In UN practice, “Sea
of Japan” is the standard geographical term and as such is to be
used in official documents of the United Nations; this has been
confirmed by the UN Secretariat in a way that permits no
misunderstanding; (iv) The government of Japan has protested
every instance in which a map publisher, broadcasting company
or newspaper publisher has incorrect simultaneous using of the
naming of “Sea of Japan” and East Sea” to indicate the Sea of
Japan, and almost everyone has accepted the Japanese position;
(v) Expansionism and colonialism have nothing to do with the
matter. The delegation of ROK had to accept it and had no choice
but to revise its argument; (vi) If an internationally established
sea name were to be changed for political reasons for no valid
reason, such an action would not only sow confusion in the
world’s geographical order but also set a terrible and dangerous
precedent for generations to come.
(Reference) The UNCSGN Resolution III/20, “Names of Features

beyond a Single Sovereignty” (1977) is as follows:

IV. Japan Sea at the International

Hydrographic Organization(IHO)
International Hydrographic Organization(IHO) is an
intergovernmental body established in 1970 with the aim of
making navigation easier and safer through the improvement of
nautical charts and documents. The organization, seated in
Monaco, has 76 member states today. IHO fulfills its mission by
promoting greatest possible uniformity in nautical charts and
documents produced by hydrographic authorities of member
states.
IHO and its predecessor organization, International Hydrographic

Bureau, set up in 1921, issued a special publication called the
“Limits of Oceans and Seas” in 1928, 1937, and 1953. The
purpose of these publications was to provide guidance to
Government-authorized Hydrographic Offices, together with the
names of oceans and seas in the world, in compiling their nautical
charts and documents. The single name “Japan Sea” was used in
all the three editions. No objection was raised from any member
state, including the Republic of Korea, before 1997 on the naming
of “Japan Sea” in IHO meetings and conferences.

V. Description of the Sea of Japan in textbooks, school atlases and

commercially available maps in countries around the world
1. Outline of the study 2. Results of the study
From September to October 2005, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1) Overall results
conducted a survey on the use of the term “Sea of Japan” (the sea
area surrounded by Northeast Asia, the Japanese Archipelago and i. Over 89% of the textbooks, school atlases and commercially
Sakhalin) in major textbooks and school atlases in use at primary available maps used only the name “Sea of Japan” in either
to high school levels, as well as in commercially available maps, English or respective local languages.
and atlases in 67* countries around the world excluding ROK and
DPRK. ii. Only two maps used the single name of “East Sea” whether in
English or in local languages.
The number of items studied was 127 textbooks, 88 school atlases,
116 commercially available maps, totaling 331 items. The results iii. An extremely small number of publications used both names,
are as follows. “Sea of Japan” and “East Sea” in either English or in local
languages; however, in most of the cases, the name “Sea of Japan”
* The study focused on countries which were members of was used as the primary name, while name “East Sea” was put in
ASEAN, G8 and IHO. parentheses or used as an additional name

(2) Results in detail remaining 127 books from 37 countries.
The above conclusion is based on the survey results on The results of the study show that the area was described as “Sea
descriptions of the Sea of Japan in textbooks, school atlases, and of Japan” in 119 books (93.8%), and names other than the “Sea of
commercially available maps in countries worldwide, details of Japan” was used in only eight books in four countries.
which is as follows.
As for school atlases, 94 books in 43 countries were surveyed.
i. Descriptions in textbooks and school atlases The Sea of Japan was given a name in 88 books, and of these in
81 books (92%) it was described as “Sea of Japan.” Names other
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan investigated the than the “Sea of Japan” were used in only seven books in six
descriptions of the Sea of Japan in most widely used geography countries.
textbooks for junior high schools and high schools in a number of
foreign countries. Of the surveyed 188 books from 55 countries, (2) Descriptions in commercially available maps
no name was mentioned for the area of the Sea of Japan in 61
books (32%). The study thus investigated the description in the The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan conducted a survey on the

V. Notation of the Sea of Japan in textbooks, academic atlases and

commercially available maps in countries around the world
descriptions of the Sea of Japan in foreign maps that are 3. Conclusion from the results of the surveys
considered to have the most authority in their respective countries.
The study covered 116 items from 61 countries. The result of the surveys on textbooks, school atlases, and
commercially available maps in various countries around the
Overall, the area was described as “Sea of Japan” in the majority world, shows that the name “Sea of Japan” continues to be used
of cases (95 items, 81.9%). However, there were four other ways internationally as the standard name.
of description—“Sea of Japan (East Sea),” “Sea of Japan (Eastern
Sea),” “Sea of Japan/East Sea,” and “East Sea (Sea of Japan)”—in This proves the historical validity of using “Sea of Japan” as the
21 maps (18.0%). internationally established name. If it were to be changed based on
groundless assertions, such an action would set an undesirable bad
precedent for the international community.

VI. Conclusion
As has been discussed so far, the name “Sea of Japan” became what might be described as “a challenge to the international
established, based upon the general nomenclature for geographical norms.”
features, between the end of the 18th century and the early 19th
century, as the contours of the surrounding coastal areas became The above is an examination into how the name of the area of the
better understood. Sea of Japan has been dealt with internationally, based upon
historical facts and the current state of affairs around the world.
It is precisely because the name “Sea of Japan” is such a logical Looking at it objectively, what do you feel about it?
and legitimate name that it has been consistently used throughout
the world for the last 200 years, without Japan making any The purpose of this pamphlet is to be an “evolving pamphlet”
assertions to that effect whatsoever. What is more, the name is which will be further revised on an on-going basis through
consistently used today by various international organizations continued gathering of information. The current version is based
including the UN, and publishing companies in numerous upon evidence gathered to date, and first and foremost we hope
countries around the world. that by reading it many people throughout the world will form a
correct opinion on the issue of the name “Sea of Japan.”
By contrast, other names used to describe this sea area, such as
“East Sea” and Sea of Korea,” naturally went out of use in the
global process of assigning names to geographical features as the
contours of the Sea of Japan became clearer. There are no sound
reasons why the international community of today should be
forced to use such names.
If the international community were to recognize such usage of the

name without a sound reason, it is possible to foresee a series of
problems arising. It may affect the safe travel of aircraft and ships,
or it may cause confusion of the area with other sea areas also
known as the East Sea, such as the East China Sea and the Baltic
Sea. What is more, surely it would also be a terrible precedent for
the international community to acknowledge an attempt to force
upon the world a geographical name without a valid reason, in




1. Takehide Hishiyama and Masatoshi Nagaoka, "'Nihonkai' koshou no hensen ni

tsuite" (Changing in the Name of the "Japan Sea") Technical Document E.3-
No.1, Geographical Survey Institute of Japan, 1994
2. Hiroo Aoyama, “Nihon-kai to iu koshou no seiritsu to tenkai –Chizushi kara no

apuroochi” (The Formation and Development of the Naming of Nihon-kai
(Japan Sea): an Approach from the Map History) Kan-nihonkai chiiki hikakushi
kenkyu (The Studies in Comparative History of Circum-Japan-Sea Areas) No.2,
Niigata University, 1993
3. Hiroo Aoyama, “Nihonkai to sono shuuhen chiiki ni okeru chiriteki chishiki no

keisei to nihonkai no koshou ni kansuru kenkyu” (A Study on Formation of
Geographic Knowledge of the Sea of Japan and Its Surrounding Areas and on
the Name of the Sea of Japan), Faculty of Humanities, Niigata University, 1997
4. Hideo Kawai, “’Nihonkai’ to iu na no datousei to chizu ni okeru kan’you,

teichaku no jiki” (The Term “Japan Sea”: Its Reasonable Naming and the Era of
Its Frequent Usage and Firm Establishment in Maps) Umi no kenkyu
(Oceanography in Japan), Vol.10, No.4, The Oceanographic Society of Japan,
2001
5. Masataka Yaji, “Sekai to nihon ni okeru kaiikimei ‘Nihonkai’ no seisei, juyou,

teichaku katei” (Process of the Denomination, Acceptance, and Fixation of the
Sea Name “Japan Sea or Sea of Japan (Nihonkai)” in the World and in Japan),
Chizu (Map) Vol.40 No.1, Japan Cartographers Association, 2002

A Historical Overview of The Name "Sea of Japan"

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A Historical Overview of The Name "Sea of Japan"

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日本海呼称-表1-2-3-4 06.6.

I. Preface Detailed Information on Cited Studies

II. The process by which the name was established,

II. The process by which the name was established,