[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe received a request to the Government on the return of the Northern Territories at the Prime Minister's Office.
The Prime Minister received the letter of request from Ms. Harumi Takahashi, Governor of Hokkaido.

Based on the receipt of the letter, the Prime Minister said in his address,

“I would like to once again express my respect for the efforts of everyone standing on the frontlines of the national movement for the return of the Northern Territories and working to address this issue on a daily basis.

The Northern Territories are inherent territories of Japan. It is truly regrettable that even now, seventy years after the end of World War II, the Northern Territories issue has yet to be resolved. This is linked to the fact that a peace treaty has not been signed between Japan and Russia. This is truly unfortunate and regrettable. With the former islanders continuing to grow older, I strongly believe that we need to resolve this issue at the earliest possible date.

I have already held ten summit meetings with President Putin. Through that process, we have built a relationship of trust on a personal level. I met with him again at APEC last year, and we shared the view that we would begin preparations in order to realize a visit to Japan by President Putin at an appropriate time this year. I am resolved to persistently work toward a final resolution to the Northern Territories issue.

The Northern Territories issue is a matter affecting the public as a whole. The people of Japan should come together as one to address this issue, and I intend to stand on the front lines and exercise my leadership as well. I ask for everyone's cooperation in these efforts.”