On the 7th, Northern Territories Day, a national convention calling for the return of the Northern Territories was held. As Russia's military invasion of Ukraine continues to prolong, Prime Minister Kishida emphasized the government's commitment to resolving territorial issues and concluding a peace treaty, and working to resume exchange programs.
Northern Territories Day is commemorated on February 7, 1855, when a treaty was signed with Russia that made the four northern islands part of Japan's territory.
On the 7th, a national convention calling for the return of the Northern Territories was held in Tokyo, and Prime Minister Kishida said, ``It is truly regrettable that even now, 78 years after the end of the war, the Northern Territories issue has not been resolved and a peace treaty has not been concluded.'' Although Japan-Russia relations are in a difficult situation due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the government remains firmly committed to resolving the territorial issue and concluding a peace treaty."
Regarding the resumption of exchange events such as grave visits by former island residents of the Northern Territories, he said, ``This is one of the top priorities in Japan-Russia relations. "We will ask the Russian side."
The conference adopted an appeal calling for the public and private sectors to work together to realize the return of the four islands, stating that the Northern Territories issue is in an extremely difficult situation due to the influence of the international situation, calling the current situation an "illegal occupation."