Click photographs to enlarge

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi viewed the Northern Territories as the first prime minister who viewed the territories from aboard a ship. In the morning, Prime Minister Koizumi traveled to Nemuro City after arriving at Nakashibetsu Airport in Hokkaido on a Self-Defense Force aircraft. Prime Minister Koizumi, together with Mr. Toshimitsu Motegi, the Minister of State for Northern Territories Affairs, and Ms. Harumi Takahashi, the Governor of Hokkaido, then boarded the Japan Coast Guard patrol vessel "Erimo" from Hanasaki Port in Nemuro City and viewed Kaigara Island and Suisho Island of the Habomai Islands. Prime Minister Koizumi, viewing the Northern Territories up close through a pair of binoculars from the bridge deck of "Erimo" commented, "It's very close. I wanted to see the island more clearly since my view was somewhat blocked by the fog." In the afternoon, Prime Minister Koizumi visited the Four Northern Islands Exchange Center of Hokkaido (NIHORO) in Nemuro City. This facility was established for the purpose of spreading the awareness on the Northern Territories issue to various people, including the youth and as a base to promote the exchange with the Russians currently living on the Four Northern Islands. Prime Minister Koizumi attended a dialogue gathering with former residents of the islands, at which he first received flowers from third-generation descendants of these former residents of the islands. During this session, Prime Minister Koizumi said, "I would like to utilize my experience here today when I meet with President Vladimir Putin of Russian Federation. Without the resolution of the Northern Territories issue, there will be no conclusion of a peace treaty between Japan and Russia."