chisima

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

JCP representative calls for return of Chishima Islands

Japanese Communist Party Vice Chair Ogata Yasuo on February 7 spoke at a government-sponsored national rally demanding the return of the "northern territory" (Russian-held islands) in Tokyo.

He stated, "It is important to show the legitimacy of the demand that the Chishima (Kurile) Islands, which are historically part of Japan, be returned to Japan. The task is for the Japanese government to carry out diplomacy as part of this effort."

Ogata stated, "At Yalta the former Soviet Union demanded that the Chishima Islands be turned over to it, a clear violation of the principle of "territorial non-expansion" that was to be applied to the post-war settlements. The United States and Great Britain endorsed this demand, and the Japanese government renounced its claim over the Chishima Islands in the San Francisco Peace Treaty."

Ogata pointed out that the Habomai Shikotan islands are historically part of Hokkaido (and are not included in the Chishima Islands), and they must be returned to Japan without waiting for the conclusion of a Japan-Russia Peace Treaty.

"Japan's possession of the Chishima Islands was a matter agreed on by the 1875 Sakhalin (Karafuto)-Chishima Exchange Treaty based on peaceful negotiations," Ogata added.

Foreign Minister Aso Taro stated that the Japanese government will consistently deal with the "northern territory question" as the main issue pending between Japan and Russia by calling for the return of the four islands (Habomai, Shikotan, Kunashiri, and Etorofu), followed by the conclusion of a peace treaty.

About 1,500 former residents of the islands and representatives of organizations calling for the return of the "northern islands" attended the assembly. Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro did not attend the annual meeting for two consecutive years.
- Akahata, February 8, 2006