[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the 2016 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 the strong resolve of the people of Japan 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 2016 National Rally to Demand the Return of the Northern Territories.
I would like to express my heartfelt respect and gratitude for the tireless efforts of the many people across the nation, including those in attendance today, who are working passionately for the campaign for the return of the Northern Territories.

A moment ago, I met with former islanders and heard their compelling feelings on this issue directly. ‘We have been waiting for over 70 years.’ ‘We have only a little time left.’ Each of their statements affected me greatly. The former islanders also recalled the great pains that my father Shintaro Abe took 30 years ago in order to make it once again possible for people to visit grave sites located in the Northern Territories, and I felt greatly moved.

Last month, during a telephone meeting with President Vladimir Putin, we shared the view that we would advance the coordination of schedules so that I can visit Russia at an appropriate time prior to President Putin’s visit to Japan.

I must say it is extraordinary that this issue has not been resolved over the 70 years since the end of World War II. I will take the compelling feelings and words of encouragement I heard today to heart. I have renewed my resolve to persistently work toward a final resolution to the Northern Territories issue through dialogues at the summit level.

The Northern Territories issue is a matter for the public as a whole, and in order to push negotiations forward, it is essential that each individual member of the public deepen their interest and understanding of this issue, and that the government and the people of Japan unite their efforts.

I would like to finish my remarks by again requesting the even further strengthening of your powerful support and cooperation toward the settlement of this issue in accordance with the basic policy of resolving the issue of the attribution of the Four Northern Islands and concluding a peace treaty with Russia.”