Home > News > The Prime Minister in Action > December 2019 > Courtesy Call from the Liaison Council of Municipalities in Nemuro Subprefecture for the Development of Regions near the Northern Territories
The Prime Minister in Action
Courtesy Call from the Liaison Council of Municipalities in Nemuro Subprefecture for the Development of Regions near the Northern Territories
December 2, 2019
Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address (1)
Photograph of the Prime Minister receiving the courtesy call
Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address (2)
[Provisional Translation]
On December 2, 2019, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe received a courtesy call from the Liaison Council of Municipalities in Nemuro Subprefecture for the Development of Regions near the Northern Territories at the Prime Minister's Office.
The Prime Minister said in his address,
“Thank you very much for taking time despite your busy schedules to come all the way to the Prime Minister’s Office today. I would like to express my respect for your leadership in promoting the national movement for the return of the Northern Territories and deepening the understanding of the public. The Government’s policy is to resolve the territorial issue and conclude a peace treaty. Regrettably, the abnormal state of affairs that Japan and Russia have yet to conclude a peace treaty has continued for more than 70 years. In light of this, we held a summit meeting in Nagato, and agreed with Russia to take a new approach towards resolving this issue.
President Putin and I share a sincere determination to resolve this issue by our own hands. Through this new approach to address the issues, we have succeeded in implementing special grave visits by airplane for former island residents for three consecutive years, even entering areas that they have not been able to before. We will exert every effort to respond to their wishes as far as possible.
Regarding the joint economic activities in the Four Northern Islands, pilot projects in the areas of tourism and garbage disposal have already begun. This week, we will be holding consultations between the experts on these two projects. We intend to firmly advance a series of efforts, including those of this kind. Taking this opportunity, I would also like to express my appreciation for the significant cooperation extended by the neighboring municipalities when we implement these projects.
As the Mayor just mentioned, many former island residents have passed away, or have reached an advanced age. Taking this situation seriously, we intend to work together and exert every effort to resolve this issue as soon as possible in order to bring back the smiles of all the former island residents. I look forward to your continued support.”
