TOKYO - Japan has asked for changes to an Equal Earth world map that depicts the Russian-controlled Northern Territories in the same color as Russia, prompting the map's creator to say the Japanese-language version will be revised while the English version will remain unchanged.
The Equal Earth projection is designed to represent the relative sizes of countries and continents more accurately. The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on September 4 encouraging its use.
A map published by Tom Patterson, one of the co-creators of the Equal Earth projection, shows the Japanese archipelago in blue while the Northern Territories are displayed in the same color as Russia.
The islands are also labeled with Russian-language names, accompanied by a note stating that they are effectively controlled by Russia and claimed by Japan.
Patterson makes the map available online free of charge and said he referred to maps produced by U.S. government agencies and other sources when preparing it.
In an interview on September 9, Patterson said that as a mapmaker, there are situations that must be reflected on a map even when he considers the circumstances undesirable.
He said the Japanese-language version would be changed so that the Northern Territories are shown in the same color as the Japanese archipelago. However, he intends to retain the current coloring in the English-language version to reflect the situation of effective control.
Japan's government has requested that the website operator revise the map.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara said the government considers it necessary to prevent incorrect perceptions from spreading regarding Japan's territory and geographical names, adding that Japanese diplomatic missions overseas had contacted the website operator to request corrections to the map.
Kihara stressed that the government would continue to respond in a way that ensures Japan's position is not undermined.
Source: FNN
