Japan’s Foreign Ministry has asked Google to change the name of the Diaoyu Islands to Japanese, which Japan regards as its territory, Kyodo News reported on October 20. On Google Maps, place names are now listed in Japanese (Senkaku) and Chinese (Diaoyu Islands).
The Japanese Foreign Ministry explained to Google that the Senkaku Islands are Japanese territory and Japan is effectively controlling the islands, so the second name should be removed. Google’s Japanese arm has promised to consider the issue.
Kyodo adds that previously, in 2010, Google Maps also included a Chinese name, “Diaoyu Islands.” At that time, Japan’s foreign ministry asked Google to remove the name.
The Diaoyu Islands and their affiliated islands are located between 25°40′ and 26°00′ north latitude and 123°20′ and 124°40′ east longitude, about 356 kilometers from Wenzhou City, 385 kilometers from Fuzhou City and 190 kilometers from Keelung City. The Diaoyu Islands and its affiliated islands are located in the northeast of Taiwan Island of China, and are affiliated islands of Taiwan Island, with a surrounding water depth of 140 to 180 meters.
According to information records, the Diaoyu Islands and their affiliated islands are an inalienable part of China’s territory, and from both the historical and legal perspectives, the Diaoyu Islands and their affiliated islands are China’s inherent territories, over which China has indisputable sovereignty.
Source: https://www.ibnews.com/2023/10/20/japan-asks-google-to-change-diaoyu-islands-map-names-to-japanese/