Courtesy Call from Young Descendants of Former Inhabitants of the Northern Territories of Japan

On July 30, 2024, Prime Minister Kishida received a courtesy call from a group of junior high school students, who are fourth generation or other descendants of former inhabitants of the Northern Territories of Japan, at the Prime Minister’s Office.

After seven of the students spoke about their thoughts toward the Northern Territories, Prime Minister Kishida said:

“First of all, I would like to express my appreciation for your visit today. I have just listened directly to what you all have to say as those carrying on the feelings and thoughts of their great-grandfathers and great-grandmothers who are former inhabitants of the Northern Territories.

As we will shortly mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II next year, despite the fact that such a long period of time has passed, we have not been able to conclude a peace treaty between Japan and Russia yet.

And as you mentioned, the current Japan-Russia relations are facing very difficult circumstances due to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. However, the Government of Japan remains totally unchanged in its stance of resolving the issue of the attribution of the four islands and concluding a peace treaty. Under these circumstances, the restart of exchange programs involving the four islands is one of the highest-priority issues in the future Japan-Russia relations. We will continue to firmly urge the Russian side to resume the program, with a particular focus on grave visits to the four islands.

Needless to say, the Northern Territories issue is one that concerns the entire nation. The Government and the people must work as one toward the resolution of the issue. And in this context, as Ms. Abe just noted in her remarks, what matters is to help many people to understand this point.

The Government, on its part, intends to continue to make efforts to raise as much awareness as possible about the issue among the public. Meanwhile, I believe that the very important thing is that young generations like you, who will bear the future of Japan, will keep actively communicating their ideas, so that many Japanese people would learn about the issue toward the future. I have high expectations that you will cherish your sense unique to the young generations and continue to work on conveying information, while taking into account the emergence of social media and other various new tools of communication.

I am truly pleased that you have come to the Prime Minister’s Office together today in a very hot weather, and it is truly reassuring and encouraging to see you earnestly working on the Northern Territories issue.

I hope that you will continue to energetically play an active role going forward and believe that each and every one of you will seize a wonderful future. My sincere hope is that regardless of which field you will work successfully in, you will think about this issue from your own standpoint, without forgetting that Japan and its entire people face such problems as the Northern Territories issue. Let me conclude my remarks by once again expressing my appreciation for your efforts. Thank you for your visit today.”