Outline of Takeshima Issue- Takeshima as a Bombing Range for U.S. Forces

7. Takeshima as a Bombing Range for U.S. Forces

1. In July 1951, while Japan was still under Allied occupation, the Supreme Command for Allied Powers designated Takeshima as a bombing range for U.S. Forces by SCAPIN No. 2160.
2. In July 1952, right after the San Francisco Peace Treaty came into effect, in response to the desire of the U.S. Forces to continue to use Takeshima as a training area, the Japan-U.S. Joint Committee established as the consultative body for the implementation of the Japan-U.S. Administrative Agreement (an agreement based on the former Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, which was succeeded by the current Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement) designated Takeshima as a bombing range for the U.S. Forces stationed in Japan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs published this fact in the official gazette.
3. However, because local residents wished to engage in sea lion hunting, abalone fishing and seaweed harvesting in the waters around Takeshima and the U.S. Forces had stopped using Takeshima as a bombing range since the winter of 1952, the Joint Committee decided to release Takeshima from the designation of a bombing range for the U.S. Forces in March 1953.
4. The Japan-U.S. Administrative Agreement stipulated that the Joint Committee shall serve as the means for consultation in determining the facilities and areas in Japan. Therefore, the fact that Takeshima was discussed in the Committee and the fact that the island was designated as an area for use by the U.S. Forces stationed in Japan clearly indicate that Takeshima is part of the territory of Japan.

• Designation as a training area for the U.S. Forces (official gazette) [PDF]

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