Thursday, July 23, 2009

The Prime Minister Receives a Courtesy Call from Young Descendants of Former Inhabitants of the Northern Territories of Japan

Prime Minister Taro Aso received a courtesy call at the Prime Minister's Office from the young people descended from families who once lived in the Northern Territories of Japan.

Seven young people visited Prime Minister Aso on this occasion, including Ms. Mariko Takaoka from Keiun Junior High School in Nemuro City.

At the beginning of their meeting, the young people spoke about their feelings and ideas on the Northern Territories. Ms. Koharu Ishikawa from Betsukaichuuou Junior High School in Betsukai Town said, "Once the Northern Territories are returned, I want to visit a Northern Island with my grandmother while she is still healthy and listen to various stories of the days when she used to live there. I will make sure that I will do what I can in order for the Northern Islands to return to Japan as soon as possible."

In response, Prime Minister Aso said, "This has been a very good opportunity for me to understand how each of you thinks of the Northern Territories. The issue of the Northern Territories has long been negotiated between successive Japanese prime ministers, and previously the Soviet Union and now Russia. This is a kind of issue that takes a long time to be settled, and we must continue our negotiations, which makes it all the more important for those like you who carry on the next generation to keep having the feelings and ideas that you just conveyed to me today. It is important that we express our feelings so that the momentum towards the return of the Northern Territories will be heightened. Unless we take various opportunities to express our ideas, this issue will gradually be forgotten. I hope the circle of people who have an interest in this issue will expand among your friends."