The dispute has been arouse since Japan claims the Dokdo/ Takeshima island is belong to Japanese territory underlying its own partial evidences from history.

Once the dispute was controversial when Japan legislate "the Day of Takeshima island" on Jan 14th, 2005 to commemorate having Dokdo subordinate into Shinema Prefecture on Feb 22nd, 1905 the time Korea was under the colonization of Japan.

Japan attempted to bring this issue to International Justice Court in order to resolve but still under progress. Korea takes the firm stance against Japan and so North Korea take the side on South Korea on this issue. that Dokdo is obviously in the territory of ROK (Republic of Korea) and even President Lee Myungbak made his first visit to Dokdo.

This issue has worsened the Korea-Japan relations and above that Abe's worship to Yashukuni Shrine caused hostile image to Korea as well as neighboring countries in Northeast Asia.