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Q: Why does this article use the name the "Sea of Japan" instead of the "East Sea"?
A: In English usage, "Sea of Japan" has been more common since the 19th century than the nomenclature of "East Sea". "Sea of Japan" is the wording used by many large intergovernmental organizations such as the United Nations, and is supported by the majority of reliable sources. More information can be found at Sea of Japan naming dispute and Wikipedia:Naming conventions (Korean)#Sea of Japan.
질문: 왜 이 문서에서는 East Sea가 아니라 Sea of Japan을 사용하고 있나요?
A fact from Sea of Japan appeared on Wikipedia's Main Page in the Did you know column on 18 October 2010 (check views). The text of the entry was as follows:
Did you know... that according to a legend, the Heishi rock(pictured) represents the God of the Sea of Japan?
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The Baltic Sea is known as the East Sea in Germanic languages and the West Sea in Finnic language, but its article doesn't begin with "the Baltic Sea, also known as the East Sea and West Sea". That would be silly. Meeepmep (talk) 13:22, 30 July 2023 (UTC)[reply]
In fact, only Korea is known as the East Sea in English. US and UK officially use the name Sea of Japan. Incidentally, this sea is also called Sea of Japan in Chinese and Russian. 36.2.103.212 (talk) 09:26, 7 January 2024 (UTC)[reply]
The preference for the term "East Sea" over "Sea of Japan" is rooted in a complex interplay of historical, cultural, and geopolitical considerations. The term, "East Sea," is advocated since it holds historical and cultural significance predating the colonial era, emphasizing a more inclusive regional perspective. Countries like South Korea view the use of "East Sea" as a means to assert their national identity and diminish the dominance of the "Sea of Japan" name, which is linked to a contentious colonial history. The parallel lies in the potential to evoke historical grievances and sensitivity; just as certain war criminal flags, such as Nazi flag and rising sun flag, may carry a contentious historical legacy, the naming of geographical features can be a source of geopolitical tension, reflecting deep-seated historical issues. Both situations highlights the need for nuanced discussions and diplomatic approaches to navigate complex historical narratives and foster understanding among nations. The choice of terminology is also seen as a way to navigate geopolitical sensitivities in the region, reducing potential tensions associated with historical disputes. Proponents suggest that adopting "East Sea" contributes to a more balanced and neutral international approach to the naming of this body of water, reflecting diverse perspectives and acknowledging the complexity of historical narratives. In essence, the naming debate transcends mere semantics, becoming a symbolic representation of identity, diplomacy, and historical consciousness in East Asia. 73.132.144.47 (talk) 15:04, 8 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]
It is not the job of Wikipedia to make judgment calls on historical and cultural consciousness and sensitivity. These choices are made by the reliable sources which Wikipedia relies on. Wikipedia's job is to reflect the most common usage among reliable sources. In essence, your argument is with those reliable sources, not with Wikipedia. Westwind273 (talk) 11:29, 3 January 2024 (UTC)[reply]
It's not the job of Wikipedia to make judgement calls, but that doesn't mean Wikipedia should turn a blind eye to the atrocities committed by Imperial Japan. I mean, Wikipedia doesn't stand with the Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei(the Nazi Party), nor does it stand with terrorist groups like the Taliban. In fact, Wikipedia articles openly condemn them.
When we talk about Imperial Japan, we talk about the sex slave issues, various massacres, human experiments, and other various atrocities that Japan has committed during World War ll. Yes, it's not the job of Wikipedia to make judgement calls, but there's a certain line between keeping it politically neutral and upholding a symbol of violence, crime, and injustice. 112.165.73.185 (talk) 14:09, 19 July 2024 (UTC)[reply]
The English Wikipedia has its own guidelines (WP:COMMONNAME) and it is very unlikely the name of this article will change unless the usage of "East Sea" exceeds that of "Sea of Japan" on reliable secondary sources outside of the enwiki. If you truly believe that the name "Sea of Japan" must be banned for its association with Japan's war crimes then arguing on a Wikipedia talk page is a waste of time. Try convincing the US department of state and Encyclopedia Britannica first. 00101984hjw (talk) 00:20, 16 August 2024 (UTC)[reply]