The government's decision to mention the Takeshima islets, in the Sea of Japan, in a teaching manual has cast a pall over ties between Japan and South Korea, both of which claim sovereignty over the islets. South Korean reactions are strong and could touch off strong nationalistic sentiment in Japan.
The decision was made in apparent response to calls for teaching students territorial issues regarding not only the Russian-held Northern Territories but also the South Korea-controlled Takeshima, called Dokdo by South Korea.
The decision came at a bad time. South Korean President Lee Myung Bak has seen his approval ratings plummet over U.S. beef imports and cannot afford to take a conciliatory stance toward Japan. Both Japan and South Korea should do their utmost to keep a lid on popular emotional outbursts.