Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the 2015 National Rally to Demand the Return of the Northern Territories, held in Tokyo.

The National Rally is held every year on February 7, which is Northern Territories Day. It is an event for related members of the public and private sectors to gather at a single venue to call for the further and broader development of the national movement for the return of the Northern Territories, and to express to those both inside and outside Japan a strong resolve to demand the early return of the Northern Territories.

After a silent prayer for the former islanders who have passed away, the Prime Minister said in his address,

“I would like to offer some remarks upon the opening of the 2015 National Rally to Demand the Return of the Northern Territories.

Today, many people across the nation, including the former islanders in attendance and people campaigning for the return of the Northern Islands, are working passionately for the campaign for the return of the Northern Territories. I would like to express my heartfelt respect and gratitude to you all.

I have already held summit meetings with President Putin of Russia 10 times during the first and second Abe administrations, and through that process, we have developed a personal relationship of trust. During the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Beijing in November of last year, we shared the view that we would start preparations toward the realization of a visit to Japan by President Putin at an appropriate time this year.

In accordance with the Government’s basic policy of 'resolving the issue of the attribution of the Four Northern Islands and concluding a peace treaty with Russia,' I will continue negotiations in my role as the Prime Minister of Japan with a strong will so as to make progress towards the final settlement of the territorial issue.

As President Putin and I have agreed, I must say it is extraordinary that a peace treaty has not been concluded between Japan and Russia to this day, the milestone 70th year after the end of World War II. I will address this matter by bearing in mind that the former islanders are aging and that the early resolution of the Northern Territories issue is imperative.

The Northern Territories issue is a matter for the public as a whole, and in order to push negotiations forward, it is necessary that the government and the people of Japan unite their efforts. I would like to conclude my remarks by again requesting the even further strengthening of your powerful support and cooperation toward the settlement of this issue.”