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On September 4, 2019, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a press conference at the Prime Minister’s Office.
 
With regard to his attendance at the Eastern Economic Forum and other matters, the Prime Minister said,
 
“We are aware of various media reports; with respect to the joint economic activities on the Four Northern Islands, the preparations are progressing steadily towards their implementation.
 
In addition, regarding the special grave visits by airplane, which former island residents have a strong wish for as they are reaching their advanced age, we have implemented them for three consecutive years. In particular, during the grave visits conducted last month, the residents were able to visit sites that they had very much wanted to visit but not been able to do so before.
 
I believe the former island residents were very pleased by that. There is no doubt that the agreement made between President Putin and myself in Nagato in 2016 is making steady progress.
 
Based on these progresses, I would like to have a frank and candid discussion with President Putin in Vladivostok this time, with the aim of taking the peace treaty negotiations to the next stage.”