Video Message from Prime Minister ISHIBA Shigeru for the 2025 National Rally to Demand the Return of the Northern Territories

I would like to offer a few words on the occasion of the 2025 National Rally to Demand the Return of the Northern Territories.

I believe that it is truly significant that this rally is organized with participants gathering today, Northern Territories Day. I had originally planned to attend in person, but due to diplomatic commitments, I am very sorry to deliver this message in the form of a video instead.

To all of you present at the venue, to those of you watching this rally online, and to all of you who are diligently working for the resolution of the Northern Territories issue throughout the country, I would like to express my sincere respect and heartfelt gratitude for your continued efforts.

This year marks the 80th anniversary since the end of World War II. It is truly regrettable and disappointing that the Northern Territories issue remains unresolved and a peace treaty between Japan and Russia has not been concluded.

Due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Japan-Russia relations remain in a difficult situation. However, the Japanese Government will maintain its policy of resolving the issue of the attribution of the four Northern Islands and concluding a peace treaty.

In 2013, twelve years ago, I visited the Northern Territories from Cape Nosappu and listened directly to the stories of former island residents and other related people, reaffirming the importance of resolving this issue.

Furthermore, on December 2 of last year, we received requests from mayors of municipalities adjacent to the Northern Territories, among others, for the early resumption of visits to ancestral graves in the Northern Territories.

The resumption of the Four-Island exchange program, including visits to ancestral graves, is one of the highest priorities in Japan-Russia relations. We want to respond to the earnest feelings of the elderly former island residents. With this in mind, we will continue to strongly request the Russian side to resume the project, especially focusing on visits to ancestral graves.

The Northern Territories issue is not only a problem for former island residents and those in adjacent areas, but also a national issue, and it is essential for the entire nation to work together. It is also very important that our country’s position is correctly understood in the international community.

The Government is committed to continuing to broadly engage in public awareness campaigns and external information dissemination.

I would like to reiterate my request for the strong support of the people and conclude my remarks. Thank you very much for your hard work today, and I truly appreciate your continued cooperation.