Top �� What's up around the Prime Minister �� February, 2003

Prime Minister Attends 2003 National Rally to Demand the Return of the Northern Territories Friday, February 7, 2003 Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi attended the 2003 National Rally to Demand the Return of the Northern Territories, held in Tokyo. February 7 is Northern Territories Day, which was established in the hope of resolving the issue of the Northern Territories and achieving true peace and relations of friendship and mutual trust between Japan and Russia. This year the main theme of the Rally was "Northern Territories - continuing movement to demand their return." In his address, Prime Minister Koizumi referred to his visit to Russia in January, stating, "President Vladmir Putin and I agreed on the Japan-Russia Action Plan and confirmed our determination to resolve the issue of the Northern Territories and conclude a peace treaty at the earliest possible date. The international situation has changed a lot, with Russia advancing its transition to a democratic political system and a market economy. In three years the country will assume the G8 Presidency. Japan and Russia are in dispute over the issue of the Northern Territories, but there are areas in which the two countries must also cooperate in the international arena. Confidence-building efforts through political, economic and cultural exchange will reinforce the foundations for resolution of the Northern Territories issue. I would like to ask for your further cooperation in various activities to raise the consciousness of each and every person in Japan in regard to the issue of the Northern Territories."