Equal Earth creator revises Northern Territories map

A Japanese version of the Equal Earth map has been revised to show the Japanese territorial color for the Northern Territories. The four islands are controlled by Russia and claimed by Japan.

Tom Patterson, a creator of the Equal Earth projection who lives in the United States, made the change on Thursday, as requested by the Japanese government.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara Minoru had earlier told reporters the government demanded a correction to the online world map. He noted that the map used the same color for Russian territory and the four islands. The Japanese government maintains the islands are an inherent part of Japan’s territory. It says the islands were illegally occupied after World War Two.

Patterson also changed the labels for the islands, replacing the Russian names with "Etorofu" and "Kunashiri" -- the ones used by Japan.

Patterson's English-language maps now show the islands in gray, a color Patterson says is neutral.

The Equal Earth projection is said to represent the relative areas of countries more accurately.

The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution by a majority vote last Friday, recommending that member nations and international organizations use the projection. Japan was among the parties that voted for the resolution.

Patterson told NHK that the Equal Earth maps that he posted online are solely his own and occasionally need updating. He added that he is "grateful to the Japanese government for clarifying how best to depict the Northern Territories."