Tokyo, Oct. 16 (Jiji Press)–The Japanese government will focus on efforts to raise young people’s awareness about a territorial issue involving the four Russian-held islands claimed by Japan, the new minister for Okinawa and Northern Territories affairs has said. Such efforts will include attracting school trips to areas close to the islands, called the Northern Territories in Japan, and sharing related information on social media, the minister, Yasuhiro Hanashi, said in an interview on Thursday. “We’ll also promote the dissemination of information (about the issue) abroad, in cooperation with the Foreign Ministry,” Hanashi said. Describing the territorial dispute as “the biggest pending issue” between Japan and Russia, Hanashi said that Japan is determined to resolve the issue and conclude a peace treaty with Russia. The four islands–Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotan and the Habomai group of islets–were seized by former Soviet troops in the closing days of World War II. Resolving the territorial dispute is “an issue for the entire nation,” Hanashi emphasized. “It’s essential for the whole nation to work together to solve the problem.” “Resuming a bilateral exchange program, including visits by former residents to their ancestors’ graves on the islands, is also one of our priorities,” he said, promising to “persistently call for the program’s resumption.” Regarding the southernmost prefecture of Okinawa, Hanashi said, “Addressing the burden (on Okinawa) of hosting U.S. bases is an important policy task.” “We will do our utmost for Okinawa’s development,” including the use of former U.S. base sites returned to Japan, the minister said. On the possibility of increasing the Okinawa development budget for fiscal 2027, starting next April, Hanashi said, “Compiling measures genuinely helpful for this purpose one by one is more important than a specific budget figure.” He added that the Japanese government “will address (the matter) appropriately in the budget compilation process while listening to Okinawa Governor Genta Koja,” who took office last month. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
