Photo:1,200 attendees gathered at Cape Nosappu.

On September 20, RENGO held its Peace Rally Demanding the Return of Northern Territories in NEMURO and the 2001 RENGO Peace Rally for the Return of the Northern Territories on the next day at Nosappu. RENGO headed up movements to conclude a Japan/Russia Peace Treaty by the end of the 20th century yet entered the new century without finding a resolution to the territorial problem. The rallies gathered approximately 1,200 participants nationally again this year and participants were united in their will to continue to demand that Russia simultaneously hand over all four islands to Japan, rejecting the plan to "Return two Islands First" circulating since last year.

On September 20, the first day of events, approximately 800 participants gathered at Nemuro to conduct a demonstration march demanding return of the Northern Territories. Following the march, about 1,200 attendees gathered for a Peace Rally at Sogo Bunka Kaikan Hall in Nemuro-city. Attendees heard lectures on the northern territories' history, current conditions, and future prospects. Speakers included League of Residents of Chishima and Habomai Islands Nemuro Branch Head Hirotoshi Kawada, the Liaison Council for Movements Demanding Northern Territory Return Secretary General Taiko Kodama, former Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' European and Oceanic Affairs Bureau Nagao Hyodo, now a Tokyo Keizai University professor in the Contemporary Law Faculty.

Professor Hyodo lectured on the "Prospects and Issues of Japanese/Russian Negotiations" stating that "Russia may find that Japan feels pressed and its public opinion is divided when watching the "Return two Islands First." He stressed that "Japan should rethink the long term position of the northern territories problem in light of a comprehensive strategy against utilitarian Russian President Putin. What is most crucial in negotiations is to show restraint in speed and unified public opinion." Encouraging the participants packed in the meeting hall to work on activities demanding the restoration of all four islands.

The next day, a Peace Rally was held at Cape Nosappu, the nearest point to the four northern islands. RENGO headquarters Assistant Secretary General Akita appealed to the 1,200 attendees saying, "it is vital to continue movements while attempting to arouse public awareness. Unified public opinion is the best bargaining power." He concluded with the enthusiastic appeal, "tell your coworkers that the four northern islands are in sight."
Afterward, RENGO Hokkaido Vice President Kunihiko Nakazawa, Nemuro Branch Vice Chairman Hirokazu Suzuki, the League of Residents of Chishima and Habomai Islands, Hokkaido prefecture Vice Governor Hiroshi Yamaguchi and others each gave emotional speeches for the return of the territories.
Finally, the rally adopted an appeal to "fortify activities for early return of all four northern islands" and closed with three chants of cheers.