Top �� What's up around the Prime Minister �� March, 2002

Winners of High School Speech Contest on Northern Territories Pay Courtesy Call on Prime Minister Wednesday, March 13, 2002 Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi received a courtesy call at the Prime Minister's Official Residence from the two top winners of the sixteenth High School Speech Contest on the Northern Territories. This Contest was held with participation of contestants representing fourteen high schools in Hokkaido. The First prize (the Minister of Foreign Affairs Prize) was awarded to Shogo Nosaka, a first-year student at Hokkai High School, while second prize (the Governor of Hokkaido Prize) went to Konomi Shinohara, a second-year student at Yuho High School. Prime Minister Koizumi congratulated the two on their distinguished achievement and encouraged them by stating, "I am sure this must have been an excellent experience for you. This experience will certainly contribute to you when you become active members of society." The Prime Minister also stated, "I intend to continue to tenaciously persevere in the negotiations for a return of the islands together with all of the participants of the movement for the return of the northern territories."