Top > What's up around the Prime Minister > July, 2005

Young People Taking Part in the Northern Youth Exchange Project Pay Courtesy Call on the Prime Minister Friday, July 29, 2005 JAPANESE Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi received a courtesy call from the young people descended from families who once lived in the Northern Territories of Japan at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. Seven young people visited Prime Minister Koizumi on this occasion, including Miss Saori Shimouchi, a third year student at Habomai Junior High School in Nemuro City in Hokkaido. In her opening address, Miss Shimouchi softened the atmosphere by saying to Prime Minister Koizumi, "I would like to extend my sincere appreciation for your visit to Nemuro as it has encouraged us greatly. As a supporter, I teach the history of the islands to junior high school students. However, I have never been to the four islands, so would you please go with me to these islands?" Furthermore, Mr. Takuya Kikuchi of the Habomai Junior High School stated, "I am well familiar with the Four Northern Islands as I live close by. My dream is to become a social studies teacher and teach students the history of these islands as well as the steps taken for their return once these islands are returned to Japan."