The Japanese minister in charge of the Northern Territories has pledged to try to enable former Japanese residents to visit the graves of their ancestors on the islands again.
The grave visits were suspended in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Russia controls the islands. Japan claims them.
On Saturday, the Minister of State for Okinawa and Northern Territories Affairs, Kikawada Hitoshi, visited Nemuro City’s Cape Nosappu, which is located in eastern Hokkaido. It was Kikawada’s first visit to the region since he assumed his post.
From Cape Nosappu, Kikawada was able to see the islands of the Northern Territories, such as the Habomai Islands, which consist of Kaigarajima and other islets.
The minister then exchanged views with former residents of the islands and local officials. One former resident handed him a petition calling for the early resumption of the grave visits.
Kikawada also spoke to reporters. He said the former islanders told him that they desperately want to set foot on their homelands again and visit the graves of their ancestors.
Kikawada said he wants to use the various channels that the Japanese foreign ministry has to ask Russia to enable the former residents to visit the graves on the islands again.
AloJapan.com