Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda received a courtesy call at the Prime Minister's Office from the top winners of the 26th High School Speech Contest on the Northern Territories.

This event is contested by high school students in Hokkaido, with the aim of fostering an interest among the youth, who will take on the next generation, in the Northern Territories issue and the campaign for their return, as well as further raising public awareness of the issue. This year, the contest was held in Sapporo City, Hokkaido, on January 21.

The Prime Minister said in his address, "It is truly encouraging that younger generations are paying great attention to the Northern Territories issue.
I have heard that each one of you emphasized in your speech the importance of continuing efforts toward the resolution of this issue, as well as the importance for all people to be concerned about this issue. Keeping these messages in mind, I would like to enhance the efforts toward the return of the Northern Territories."