Prime Minister Naoto Kan received a courtesy call at the Prime Minister's Office from the Chairman of the Liaison Council of Municipalities in Nemuro Subprefecture for the Development of Regions near the Northern Territories, among others concerned.

After receiving requests from Mr. Shunsuke Hasegawa, Mayor of Nemuro City, who chairs the Liaison Council, the Prime Minister said in his opening address, "Each of the issues of the Four Northern Islands are extremely important territorial issues for Japan. My understanding is that there remains a very serious situation for your respective regions and for Japan as a whole as well.
The national government of Russia used to spend little money on the development of infrastructures in the Four Northern Islands. In recent years, however, the Russian government has been gradually reinforcing their efforts, bearing in mind potentials in the field of energy. Against these backdrops, I am concerned that the longer we leave the situation unaddressed, the more difficult it would be to realize the return of the Islands.
As such, I intend to seek to achieve the breakthrough for the current situation as we discuss economic issues with Russia, while at the same time conducting negotiations for the return of the Islands."