Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda met with the Liaison Council of Municipalities in Nemuro Subprefecture for the Development of Regions near the Northern Territories at the Prime Minister's Office.

The Prime Minister said in his address, "I have heard that you have put up an enthusiastic campaign today in Ginza despite the severe cold and rain.
I sincerely thank you all for your ongoing efforts in leading the campaign for the return of the Northern Territories to Japan.
It is needless to say that the Northern Territories are an integral part of Japan's sovereign territory. However, the issue remains unresolved even 66 years after the war, which I perceive to be truly regrettable.
Recently, I met with President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev during the APEC summit in Honolulu. On that occasion, I again reiterated that Japan's basic stance is to conclusively resolve the issue of the attribution of the Four Northern Islands and conclude a peace treaty on that basis. I intend to continue negotiating with Russia with perseverance.
Considering the age of former residents of the Islands and other factors, in a certain sense it is a race against time. Fully acknowledging this, the Government will vigorously carry on with the negotiations, and as such I would like to ask for an even greater level of support and cooperation from you all.