Northern Territory Tomb Visit Kokugo on the air route, then to Shiretoko Island Reduced the burden of movement August 10 10:39

In order to visit the grave in the northern territory, Motoshima residents departed from Nakashibetsu Airport in Hokkaido on the morning of the 10th.

The grave visit to the northern territory using aircraft was agreed at the Japan-Russia summit meeting in April to reduce the burden of the aging former islanders, and this is the third time.

Prior to the departure, Mr. Kouta Otsuka from Kunigo Island, who served as the head of the visiting group, said, “It is a precious opportunity to pray for the peace of the relatives sleeping in the northern islands, so I want to achieve that feeling to my heart's content.” Did.

And 67 people including former islanders and government officials in the northern territory left Nakashibetsu Airport before 8:30 am on a charter plane of a Russian airline.

The delegation was divided into two groups and decided to visit the graves on Kunigo Island and Etorofu Island, and arrived at Kunashiri Island after 9:30 am.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, if you go to the farthest island, by using an airplane, the travel time will be reduced to about one-fifth compared to a traditional grave visit by ship.

The government wants to lead the progress of negotiations on the peace treaty, including the Northern Territories issue, by accepting the keen thoughts of the former islanders and steadily proceeding with these cooperation projects between Japan and Russia.

The group plans to stay overnight and return to Nakashibetsu Airport at noon on the 11th.