Appears to have withdrawn the plan to elevate above vice-minister level
Kyodo “Considering the improving trend in Japan-South Korea relations”
Takaichi ‘coordination of a March visit to South Korea’ reported
Visit to Andong, the hometown of President Lee Jae Myung, mentioned

Kyodo News reported on the 12th that the Japanese government has begun coordinating to not send a minister-level official to the ‘Takeshima (the name Japan claims for Dokdo) Day’ ceremony hosted by Shimane Prefecture on the 22nd.

Kyodo said, citing a source, that Akama Jiro, the minister in charge of territorial issues, received a request from Shimane Prefecture in mid last month to attend the event but is not expected to participate. As in previous years, the plan is to dispatch a Cabinet Office parliamentary secretary, which is vice-minister level. This year, Parliamentary Secretary Furukawa Naoki is expected to attend and reiterate the longstanding Japanese position that Dokdo is inherent Japanese territory historically and under international law.

‘Takeshima Day’ was instituted in 2005 by the Shimane Prefectural Assembly to commemorate the incorporation of Dokdo into Shimane Prefecture in February 1905, during the era of the Japanese Empire. Since 2013, Japan has consistently sent parliamentary secretaries to the Takeshima Day event, but Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae said during a debate in the Liberal Democratic Party leadership election last September, “Would it not be better for a minister (cabinet minister) to go to Takeshima Day with confidence?”, adding, “There is no need to mind appearances,” and attention has since focused on how the government would respond.

The wire service noted, “It appears to have taken into account Japan-South Korea relations, which continue on an improving track, and to have shown consideration for South Korea, which opposes the event,” and added, “Among conservative supporters of Prime Minister Takaichi, it may be perceived as a retreat.” Since taking office in October last year, Prime Minister Takaichi has held two summit meetings with President Lee Jae Myung and affirmed the intention to continue shuttle diplomacy.

Jiji Press reported the same day, citing a Japanese government official, that the South Korean and Japanese governments are coordinating a March visit to South Korea by Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi. According to the report, a plan is emerging within both governments for Prime Minister Takaichi to visit South Korea timed to his trip to the United States on the 19th of next month to hold a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, and to hold talks with President Lee Jae Myung.

If Prime Minister Takaichi visits South Korea, the possible venues being discussed are Seoul or Andong, the hometown of President Lee Jae Myung. Earlier, on the 13th of last month, President Lee visited Nara Prefecture, the hometown of Prime Minister Takaichi, held a summit, and the two toured Horyu-ji, a historic temple, together.