Courtesy Call from the Liaison Council of Municipalities in Nemuro Subprefecture for the Development of Regions near the Northern Territories

On December 1, 2021, the Prime Minister received a courtesy call at the Prime Minister’s Office from the Liaison Council of Municipalities in Nemuro Subprefecture for the Development of Regions near the Northern Territories.

The Prime Minister said in his address,
 
 “I would like to express my heartfelt respect and appreciation for your leadership and daily efforts in promoting this movement for the return of the Northern Territories.
 
As the mayor mentioned the history of December 1 just now, I remember participating in the rally and march in Hibiya Park on the same day in the past, when I served as Minister of State for Northern Territories Affairs. I believe that we need to take to heart that you take the trouble of coming all the way to the Prime Minister’s Office on this day to convey your thoughts.
 
It is extremely regrettable that we have not yet resolved the Northern Territories issue and concluded a peace treaty with Russia. I held a telephone summit talk with President Putin in October immediately after assuming office as Prime Minister, in which we agreed that we must firmly work on this issue based on bilateral agreements to date, including the one reached in Singapore in 2018 you referred to.
 
During the talk, I also conveyed our intention to swiftly resume humanitarian measures for former island residents, such as grave visits by airplane, as well as initiatives including economic exchange programs involving the four islands. Although the President stated that he would like to continue consultations on this, we must proceed with our efforts going forward in accordance with Japan’s basic policy of resolving the Northern Territories issue and concluding a peace treaty. As you said, this is a race against time, and we must never consider leaving the issue to the next generation. With this determination, we will thoroughly address the issue. Therefore, I ask for your continued cooperation and guidance. Thank you.”