Seoul lodged a strong protest against Tokyo on Sunday after a senior Japanese official attended Shimane prefecture’s controversial “Takeshima Day” event, widely viewed as asserting Tokyo’s territorial claims over Dokdo, Korea’s easternmost islets. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for the immediate abolition of the event, describing it as a reflection of Japan’s repeated and unjustified sovereignty claims over the islets. “Dokdo is clearly an integral part of our territory historically, geographically and under international law,” the foreign ministry said. “The Japanese government must immediately cease its unreasonable claims over Dokdo and face history with humility.” The ministry also summoned Hirotaka Matsuo, deputy chief of mission at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, to lodge a formal protest. Earlier Sunday, Shimane prefecture held its annual ceremony marking Takeshima Day. The Japanese government has sent a senior official to the event each year since 2013. This year, Naoki Furukawa, parliamentary vice minister at the Cabinet Office, attende