Stimulate Public Opinion for Early Resolution 2003 Peace Action in Nemuro Demands Return of Northern Territories (2 oct 2003)

On September 19 and 20, RENGO held its “2003 Peace Action in Nemuro Demanding the Return of Northern Territories” wrapping up a series of RENGO Peace Actions that had started with the “Peace Action in Okinawa” in June. 2,900 participants attended the two-day event pledging to treat the Northern Territories issue as every citizen’s problem, to advance activities, and boost public opinion for a speedy realization of the return of all four islands immediately. Photo: General Secretary Kusano said, “We must not let the Northern Territories issue fade away.” (September 20, Cape Nosappu) On September 19, the Hokkaido Four Northern Islands Exchange Center (NIHORO) in Nemuro city served as the venue for a fieldwork project entitled “Learn More about the Northern Territories!” 920 participants gathered from across the nation to study the problems of the northern territories in depth in four separate seminars. (1) My Memories of the Four Islands (presented by Mr. Hidezo Ikeda from Kunashiri Island) (2) Learn About the Four Islands Today (Liaison Council for Movements Demanding the Return of the Northern Territories, Secretary General Taiko Kodama) (3) The Russian Presidential Election and Situation at Sakhalin (Saitama Prefectural University Professor Tadamasa Fukiura) and (4) Children of Shikotan Island and its Sports Festival (RENGO Department of Organizational Affairs Executive Director Michiro Abe). In sharp contrast to the rain weather the day before, September 20 was blessed with fine weather for the 2003 Peace Rally in Nosappu/Demanding the Return of the Northern Territories which was held at the Longing for Home Cape Park in Cape Nosappu. 2,000 participants gathered on the site which overlooks the Northern Territories. On behalf of organizers, RENGO General Secretary Kusano stood for the opening speech. He stated decisively that “we must not let the Northern Territories problem fade away. We will continue our movement until their (the four islands) complete return.” Moreover, he called upon participants to “take advantage of your participation in this action to further discussion on the Northern Territories problems in your workplaces.” Afterwards, local RENGO Hokkaido President Kasai gave a speech, saying that “the task is how to break through the situation which currently is proceeding at a snail’s pace while at the same time developing movements for the return of all four islands as a fundamental principle. We will strongly work to further the movements.” Many guests attended the rally. From each of their various perspectives they said that “in order to resolve the territories problem, it is crucial to hear the mounting voices of nation” and indispensable that we foster successors to develop movements for the return of the four islands. Former resident and Branch Head of the League of Residents of Chishima and Habomai Islands Nemuro Branch Kawada said that “the Northern Territories issue is every citizen’s problem. The islands must be returned as soon as possible.” After that, RENGO Shimane’s Local Council in Oki General Secretary Kazuyuki Saito read a message of solidarity calling for understanding and cooperation on the territorial dispute between Japan and Korea over Takeshima Island. The rally closed by adopting the following appeal with unanimous applause: “We will work tenaciously in workplaces and locally for movements demanding the return of the Northern Territories as peace movements.”

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