Wednesday, February 7, 2001

Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori addressed the annual National Rally to Demand the Return of the Northern Territories, held at Kudan Kaikan, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. He emphasized the need to resolve the Northern Territories problem and explained the government's approach to the issue, saying, "Resolving the problem of the Northern Territories and concluding a peace treaty [with Russia] is in the interest of both Japan and Russia and will also contribute greatly to the peace and stability of Asia and the Pacific. I regard this as one of the government's most important national priorities." He also asked for national support, saying, "The power of unified public opinion is crucial to furthering negotiations."