Territorial disputes and sovereignty claims: The case of Dokdo/Takeshima and regional perspectives

Asia has long been home to unresolved territorial and maritime disputes, particularly in the East China Sea and South China Sea. These disputes are not just about law or history but they also reflect the struggles over regional influence. Among these, the dispute involving the islets called Dokdo by Korea and Takeshima by Japan remains one of the most long-standing and sensitive ones in the region. An important cause is the uncertainty embedded in the 1951 San Franciscoso Peace Treaty. While the treaty officially ended World War II and required Japan to give up its colonial claims, it failed to clearly state who holds sovereignty over several islets, including Dokdo/Takeshima. This lack of clarity has allowed Korea and Japan to interpret the treaty in ways that support their respective positions. This thesis examines how the dispute has evolved by analyzing historical events, key treaties and diplomatic statements. To better understand the nature of the disputes, the thesis also compares them with other conflicts in East and Southeast Asia that share similar aspects. By doing so, it examines the impact of the U.S. on the formation of the postwar setting and explores how symbolic actions—like Korea's "Dokdo Day" and Japan's "Takeshima Day"—are used to strengthen national identity and public awareness. This study argues that resolving such disputes requires more than legal solutions; it also requires historical understanding and long-term diplomatic effort.