Japan is jointly pursuing an investigation into ships that sank during the 13th-century invasions of Japan by the allied forces of Mongolia and Goryeo, alongside research institutions from South Korea and Mongolia, NHK reported.

Matsuura City in Nagasaki Prefecture has been conducting research since the 1980s at the Takashima underwater ruins off the coast of Imari Bay regarding the ships that sank during the second invasion of Japan by the Mongolia-Goryeo allied forces, confirming three vessels by 2024.

The Yuan dynasty, together with Goryeo, attacked Japan under the Kamakura shogunate twice, in 1274 and 1281, but failed.

It is known that typhoons struck each time, which contributed to their defeat. In Japan, this was celebrated as the divine wind, or kamikaze, believing that gods protected the country.

However, as there are few historical records to support this, academic opinions remain divided on the exact causes of the failure of the invasions to Japan.

The three ships discovered by Matsuura City lie at a depth of 18 to 19 meters, and until now, only the lower portion of the center of the vessels has been confirmed.

Matsuura City is expanding its investigation area to the west of the ships to grasp their overall size and structure, aiming to confirm facts such as where the ships originated.

NHK reported that amidst these efforts, Matsuura City has launched international solidarity with research institutions in South Korea and Mongolia to uncover the truth, stating, "Since both the discovered ships and excavated artifacts are related to the Yuan dynasty's forces, cross-border solidarity is necessary."

"Because they are underwater ruins, it is challenging, and we also expect to share expertise," the report added.

Matsuura City signed a partnership agreement regarding the investigation of related ruins with South Korea's National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage last July.

Following the agreement, 17 researchers from the institute visited the site and are currently exchanging opinions.

The local government has also signed an agreement with a research institution in Mongolia to jointly examine the excavated artifacts and other findings.
(Photo: Yonhap News)