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Japan Demands Equal Earth Recolor Northern Territories

By Drooid · Sep 11, 2026, 6:42 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Japan Government Recolors Map

Japan’s government demanded that the Equal Earth map recolor the four Northern Territories to match Japan’s color.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said the map’s coloring contradicts Japan’s position on the islands.
Tom Patterson, co-creator of the projection, agreed to recolor the islands on the Japanese map edition.
By September 11, 2026, English and Japanese versions showed the islands in Japan’s blue and used Japanese names.

Summary

UN Adopts EqualEarth

UN General Assembly adopted the Equal Earth resolution with 164 votes for, one against, six abstentions.
The United States cast the dissenting vote, calling the plan a “radical ideological project.”
Ukraine abstained, saying Equal Earth maps misrepresent Crimea and other occupied territories.
The World Bank will phase out Mercator on tools in favor of Equal Earth.
France’s foreign ministry will replace Mercator with maps that better reflect actual surface areas.

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Japan Government Recolors Map

Japan’s government demanded that the Equal Earth map recolor the four Northern Territories to match Japan’s color.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said the map’s coloring contradicts Japan’s position on the islands.
Tom Patterson, co-creator of the projection, agreed to recolor the islands on the Japanese map edition.
By September 11, 2026, English and Japanese versions showed the islands in Japan’s blue and used Japanese names.

1 / 2