[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe received a courtesy call at the Prime Minister's Office from the winners of the High School Speech Contest on the Northern Territories.

The Prime Minister said in his address,

“Congratulations on being awarded the first and second prizes. As high school students, both of you made speeches with strong feelings towards the Four Northern Islands, and I am sure your arguments and your essays were highly appraised.

Unfortunately, Japan and Russia have yet to conclude a peace treaty. President Putin and I both agree that we should resolve this extraordinary state of affairs as soon as possible. We will persistently negotiate for the return of the Four Northern Islands. In that sense, the fact that you have made speeches expressing your own thoughts on the matter will be a great source of strength for us.”