I visited your website https://journals.ametsoc.org/jcli/article/29/2/419/35891/Climatology-of-Polar-Lows-over-the-Sea-of-Japan and was deeply distressed to find that you have chosen to name designate the East Seas as ‘Sea of Japan.’

It seems extremely inappropriate and frankly appalling, that site as prestigious as the American Meteorological Society, an educational site, would be so ill informed to blatantly allow the use of Sea of Japan in one of its articles with complete lack of regard for the dispute between the two countries. Your site should educate not spread misinformation.

Using the proper name for the body of water between Korea and Japan is not simply a question of naming a geographic area but is part of a national effort by the Korean Republic to erase the legacy of Japanese Imperialism and to redress the unfairness that has been resulted from that period. The way African-Americans were enslaved, so was the Korean people.

Therefore, I urge you to use 'East Sea' to describe the body of water in question or to use both Korean and Japanese designation simultaneously (e.g. 'East Sea/Sea of Japan') in your contents and maps. 

According to IHO and UNCSGN, in case of topographical feature shared with two or more countries, yet naming differently in their own languages, all the names in each language should be marked. Also as of January 2019 IHO has insisted talks resume between the two countries to come to an agreement about the region or will otherwise eradicate ‘Sea of Japan’ at the next conference.  The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), which formulates international guidelines for nautical charts, accepted Korean allegations and proposed that the term "Sea of Japan," which has been used internationally, be scratched. 

Once Korea and Japan agree on a common designation, that is in accord with the general rule of international cartography, we will then follow the agreed-on designation. 

While the world is ravaged by not only by Covid-19, but racial injustice and discrimination, I feel that your company should do the right thing.

I would be grateful for your explanation as to why you chose to use ‘Sea of Japan’ and look forward to visiting your site with the needed changes implemented.

If you could email me at ashleylsylee@gmail.com with your response it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Ashley SeoYeon Lee