Two South Kuril and two islands off Hokkaido are the own land of Japan.
 
The islands lie off Japan's northern-most island of Hokkaido.
Photo source: AP and NHK broadcast, Feberuary 13, 2011.
北方領土､4島は150年以上前から日本固有の領土としての長い歴史がある。一度たりとも
外国に支配されたことはない。明らかな事実は、1855年には平和的な話し合いで日露和親条約
が終結され、択捉島以南を日本領として画定していたことである。
1945年に日本とソビエト連邦との間で日ソ中立条約が結ばれた。しかし、日本の敗戦が
確実となった1945年8月8日に突如、日ソ中立条約の破棄を宣言し、宣戦を布告、ソ連軍は
8月9日に戦闘を開始し、南樺太、千島列島に侵攻した。完全な奇襲攻撃である。軍隊は
日本が聯合国に降伏した8月15日以降も侵攻を続け、千島列島全域を占領し、9月2日に
やっと戦闘を中止したと言われる。その後も日本固有の南千島の占領を続けたまま、
千島全島をソ連（今のロシア）に編入し、自国の領土としている。
  
Kunashiri Island, one of four islands of Northern Territories in the Southern
Kuril Islands
Source: Reuters (2007)/Kyodo and NHK broadcast Feberuary 13, 2011.
The dispute over the islands has been going on since the end of World War
II. President Medvedev
has paid the first visit by a Russian president to the disputed Kuril Islands,
sparking a diplomatic
row with Japan. Mr. Medvedev met local residents in Kunashir, the second-largest
of the four
islands, and pledged more investment for the region. Japanese Prime Minister
N. Kan expressed
his deep regret over the President Medvedev's visit to the island, and
Russia's envoy was
summoned. Russia called Japan's reaction to the visit unacceptable. Russia
took control of the
islands at the end of World War II. The islands lie to the north of Japan's
Hokkaido island and to
the south of Russia's Kamchatka peninsula.
They are known in Russia as the Southern Kuril islands, while Japan calls
them Northern Territories.
Before Russia took control of them, some 17,000 Japanese residents. They
are known in Russia
as the Southern Kuril islands, while Japan calls them Northern Territories.
Before Russia took
control of them, some 17,000 Japanese residents lived in Kuril islands.
Mr. Medvedev is the first Russian leader to set foot on the islands. In
Kunashir, known in Japan
as Kunashiri, he visited a kindergarten, a power station and a fishery,
and promised greater
investment in the region. "We have an interest in people remaining
here. It is important that
there be development. We will invest money in Kunashiri without fail."
Interfax news agency
quoted him as saying. Prime Minister Kan reiterated "Those four northern
islands are part of
our country's territory, so the president's visit is very regrettable,"
he said. Separately, Japanese
Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara warned that the visit would "hurt the
feelings of Japanese people".
The dispute has strained relations between Tokyo and Moscow ever since
World War II,
preventing the signing of a formal peace treaty. The islands have rich
fishing grounds,
mineral deposits and possibly oil and gas reserves. Mr. Medvedev's visit
comes shortly before
his planned trip to Japan for an Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec)
meeting in
mid-November. It also comes with Japan, locked in a separate territorial
dispute with
another of its powerful neighbors.
Ties between China and Japan have been strained by a row over islands in
the East China Sea,
which is known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, that both claim.
Four islands of the Northern Territories were invaded by Soviet Armed Forces.
President Medvedev visited Kunashiri Island in Novermber, 2010, one of
the four Russian-held
islands east of Hokkaido claimed by Japan. He became the first leader from
Russia or the
former Soviet Union to set a foot on what Japan calls the Northern Territories.
In response to the action by the Russian President, the US State Department
officials supported
the outstanding claim by Japanese government and people, which the Northern
Territories
in South Kunashiri Island is the own land of Japan. The United Stated clearly admitted the
disputed four islands are Japan's inherent territory.
Source: Washington, Kyodo November 2, 2010
 
In Japan, August 14 is considered to be the day that the Pacific War ended,
and Imperial Japan actually surrendered on August 15.
This day became known in the English-speaking countries as" Victory
over Japan Day".
However, Russian Military force landed on the Etorofu Island, a part of
Hokkaido on August 28, despite the war had been ended,
and quickly occupied our Northern Islands of Japan for only nine days.
Japan claims that the islands are occupied illegally as the Soviet Union
during the period of August 28
and September 5, after Japan's surrender on August 15, 1945.
2.jpg) 
(L) Photo was taken the Soviet landing craft on August 28, 1945, and soldiers
occupied the Northern Islands.
(R) A Soviet flag over the Northern Territories
Source: NHK broadcast January 8, and February 13, 2011
  
In the Northern islands 17,000 residents lived before 1945. They were compulsory
deported by Soviet troops.
Photo: NHK broadcast, Feberuary 13, 2011.
Because of the dispute, Russia and Japan have not yet signed a peace treaty
to end World War II.
Many Japanese people migrated north to the islands in the 18th and 19th
century, including
members of Hokkaido's minority Ainu community. In 1855, Russia and Japan
signed the Treaty
of Shimoda, which gave Japan's ownership of the four southern islands and
Russia ownership
of everything to the north. At the time World War II began, there were
17,000 Japanese residents.
Russia took control of the islands at the end of the war, and by 1949 it
had deported all residents
to Japan.
The 1951 San Francisco Peace Treaty, signed between the Allies and Japan.
Japan renounced
all right, title and claim to the Kuril Islands, as well as over other
possessions. However, this
treaty resolved nothing. Russia did not sign the treaty, and the Japanese
government has never
recognized the four islands as part of the Kuril chain. In 1956, the Japan-Soviet
Joint Declaration
restored diplomatic ties between the two nations, but a formal peace deal
remained out of reach
because of the territorial dispute. At the time, Russia proposed returning
the two islands
closest to Japan, a deal Japan rejected, in part because the two islands
represent only 7%
of the land in question. Since then, the dispute has remained unresolved.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Is there any way to resolve the territorial issue of the Four Islands?
NHK broadcast, Feberuary 13, 2011
  1.jpg)
日本は1855年にロシアとの間に平和的に取り交わされた日ロ通好条約を根拠に北方4島の返還を求めているが、
ロシアは日ロ不可侵条約を破棄して日本領土に侵攻した結果の「戦利品」と位置づけている
ロシア大統領 エリツィンと橋本首相との会談で、ロシアは日本の主権を認め、日本はロシアの施政権を
認めることで決着を図ろうとしたが大統領府副長官、ヤストルジェムプスキーの反対などで実現出来なかった
In 1998, Japanese government proposed to Russia that Russia acknowledges
that Japan
over the four islands; on the other hand, Japan admits the Russia's administration
right
over the Northern territories.
  
（左）ミハイル・ゴルバチョフ・ソ連大統領 Mikhail Gorbachev （中）ボリス・エリツィンロシア大統領、
（右）ロシア大統領 ボリス・エリツィン（1991-1996）と橋本龍太郎首相 （1996-1998）との友好的な握手
両大統領とも日本の首相と平和条約締結前に解決することを約束した・・・
北方４島の返還を確信と発言
1992年にエリツィンロシア大統領の側近で、来日中の ブルブリス元国務長官は東京都内のホテルで
講演し、北方領土問題について「1940年代に4島で起きたことは、スターリン体制の侵略的行為による
もので、遅かれ早かれ、これらの島は日本に返還されると確信している」と述べ、領土問題の解決に
前向きの姿勢を示した。ブルブリス氏はエリツィンロシア大統領自身、法と正義による解決を放棄した
ことは ない」と語り、先に領土返還に関する交渉を拒否すると発言したチェルノムイルジン首相の見解を
強く否定した。しかし、当時の外務省官僚のかたくな態度と、ロシア国内事情を背景に、返還寸前で
あった領土問題は暗礁に乗り上げ、その後、長期間進展することはなかった。
非常に残念なことは、その後プーチン首相は豊かな天然資源による国力の強化を背景に「良心より力を
誇示する政策」に転換したことである。
In 1992, the former Secretary of State of Russia, G.E.Burbulis talked at
a lecture held at a hotel
in Tokyo that the military occupation occurred in 1945 is caused by the
invasive action of
Stalin's regime, and he convinced that the four northern islands off Hokkaido will, sooner or
later,
return to Japan. He stressed that Russia President, Boris Yeltsin himself
will never abandon
the resolution of the territorial issue by law and justice. He denied the previous talks of
V.S. Chernomydin, in which he rejected a negotiation regarding the territory
handover views.
It is very pity that there was no voyage to solve the territorial issue
of the 'northern four islands'
in the long period of time to progress.
  
（左）歴史への正義を求める外務審議官 丹波實 Minoru Tanba（1997-1999）
「領土問題は国家の柱である」と、ロシアの実行支配に対しいらだちを隠せない
（中）大統領府副長官 セルゲイ・ヤストルジェムプスキー（1997-1998）はロシア国内での政権の
基盤が不安定になるのを恐れて領土返還に強く反対した
（右）2島先行返還に一斉に拒否反応する日本のメディア
(L) Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Minoru Tanba
(M) Polish-born Yastrzhemsky bitterly opposed to returning the Northern
lands to Japan.
Had he no mind to show anger against German troops invaded Poland in 1939?
(R) All Japanese newspapers showed a rejection against the first-step return
of the two islands.
  
(L) In 2001, Russian president, Vladimir Putin said the Soviet Parliament
had ratified the agreement between Japan and USSR
that the two islands of Shikotan and Habomai should be returned, and it
is our duty to do so.
(M) A member of Jaoanese Parliament, Muneo Suzuki, it is difficult to request
Russia to return the four islands together,
and it is rather wise to ask the two islands of Shikotan and Habomai at first. He is known to conduct an economic
aid to the four islanders from Japan, when a financial crisis occurred
and one third of people evacuated to the main land
of Russia during the period after 1991.
(R) Director General, Europa-Asia Affairs Bureau, Kazuhiko Togo said that
a politics does not always reflect a legal basis
of the problems.
北方領土問題について1990年代に領土交渉は進展したが、そのチャンスを生かすことが出来なかった。
エリツィン大統領の気持ちは動いたが側近の大統領府、セルチイ・ヤストルジェンブスキー副長官は
ロシア国内の政治対立が深まり政権の崩壊に繋がりかねないと日本への領土の返還に強く
反対したからだ。この問題に深くかかわり、日本からの経済支援を行ってきた鈴木宗男氏は、
4島一括返還から議論が少しでも外れると日本国内で大きな反発が引き起こされたと当時を語る。
「現実を見据えていない想像力の欠如」と述べている。外務省欧亜局長、東郷和彦氏氏は
「政治は法的解釈のみでは動かない」とコメントした。しかし、2001年、プーチン首相はNHKの
テレビ取材に対し「歯舞、色丹については日ソ共同宣言は議会で批准されており、領土返還は
我々にとって義務です」と述べている。だが、2003年、その態度は一変する。豊かな石油と
天然ガスを背景に北方4島を戦略上の重要地域と認定、島民数に比べ巨額の投資を決定し実行した。
今、これらの島々と北海道との距離はますます離れつつある。
Minoru Tanba, Dupty Minister for Foreign Affairs says with bitter grief
in his heart, the Northern
island has never been governed by any other country, and it is truly our
own native lands.
The territories' issue is the root of the nation, and no country in the
world would be respected,
when easy changed its attitude toward the country under negotiation. The
last head of the USSR,
Mikhail Gorbachev, having served from 1988 until its collapse in 1891,
promised to Japanese Minister
to solve the territorial problems before the peach treaty between Japan
and USSR.
This political view was taking over to the New Russian leader, Boris Yeltsin.
However, it was very sad to say that the friendly partnership was destroyed
by the negative
advise given by Sergey Yastrzhemsky, a staff of Russia's presidential Excutive
Office, born into
a polish family, a recruiting ground for the KBG, that if Russia transfer
the possession of Northern
lands to Japan, it might cause of a political confusion in Russia.
  
Prime Minister Putin Putin stressed on the importance of Northern island
in the point of stratagem,
and he put 17.9 billion Rouble for the public facilities and economic assistance
of the four islands.
Photo source: NHK broadcast, Feberuary 13, 2011.
In 2006, Prime Minister Putin recognized and stressed the Northern island,
South Kuril islands
and the two islands of Shikotan and Habomai, is very important in the point
of stratagem, and
he proposed to put 17.9 billion Rouble ( about 50 billion Yen ) for infrastructure
and economic
assistance of the islanders.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Kunashiri Island
11.jpg) 1.jpg) 1.jpg)
In November 2010, President Medvedev visited and made an inspection about
the infrastructures,
port, school and fisheries factory of Kunashiri Island, that Japan insists
that is the inherent own land.
  
Many Russian youngsters are enjoying their life at the Kunashiri Island.
  
Young Russian enjoying a summer sunlight, saying the land belongs to Russia,
and we do not return it to Japan.
Do they know that Japanese owned islands were illegally occupied by Soviet
troops on August 28, 1945, after
the date of the world war has already ended thirteen days before the military
invasion?
北方領土訪問 根室で抗議集会 2010年11月1日、ロシアのメドベージェフ大統領が北方領土の
国後島を訪問したことを受けて、北海道根室市の納沙布岬では、元島民など100人余りが
参加して、緊急の抗議集会が開かれた。 集会では長谷川俊輔根室市長が、「北方領土問題は
主権と民族の尊厳の問題だ。大統領がロシアが不法占拠している北方領土を訪問したことは、
たいへん遺憾で、怒りを感じる」と述べた。
一方、領土返還に向けて有効な手を打つことが出来ず、日本外交のみじめさを世界にアピール
していることに対するいらだちを隠すことが出来ないようだ。ロシアにとって、押せば既成事実と
して日本が諦めるのではないかと考えているようだと懸念している。
抗議集会では北方領土は日本の領土だと、この場から全国に、世界に発信しよう」と呼びかけた。
最後にメドベージェフ大統領の北方領土訪問に強く抗議する緊急メッセージを採択し、「島を返せ」
と叫び続けた。納沙布岬は、立っていられないほどの強い風と雨が吹きつける荒れた天気だった
が、 集会に参加した元島民らは強い口調で訴えを繰り返していた。
President Medvedev visited Kunashiri Island on Novermber 1, 2010, one of
the four Russian-held
islands east of Hokkaido claimed by Japan. He became the first leader from
Russia or the
former Soviet Union to set a foot on what Japan calls the Northern Territories.
It is highly regrettable that he visited a place over which the question
of territorial jurisdiction
has not yet been solved between Japan and Russia. His visit runs counter
to the Tokyo.
Declaration of 1993, signed by Prime Minister M Hosokawa and Russian President
B Yeltsin.
It declared that the two countries will sign a peace treaty by solving
the territorial issue based on
the related bilateral documents and law and justice.
In February 2009, Mr. Medvedev proposed taking an "ingenuous approach"
to solve the
territorial issue. This has not yet taken place. Is he trying to project
an image of a strong
leader with the Russian presidential election in 2012 in mind?
The government must pay attention to the possibility that China and Russia
are synchronizing
their pressure against Japan, that is, China over the arrest of a Chinesefishing
boat captain
near the Senkaku Island of Okinawa and Russia over the Northern Territories.
During
Mr. Medvedev's visit to Beijing on Sept. 26-28, he and Chinese President
Hu Jintao
condemned "attempts" to change the history of World War II. In
July, Russia held
a large-scale military drill on Etorofu Island, one of the four islands.
Mr. Medvedev signed
into law a bill designating September 2, which is the date in 1945 that
Japan submitted
instruments of surrender to the Allied Powers, as a memorial day for the
end of World War II.
To help solve the territorial issue, the government must analyze whether
Japan has made
errors in dealing with Russia. For example, since the change of government
in September
in 2009, no Japanese leader has visited Russia. Japan should find out what
really lies
behind Mr. Medvedev's act and builds a coolheaded strategy that develops
trustful bilateral
ties as well as solidifies Japan's principle against expansionism.
Source: Japan Times Editorial, November 3, 2010
  
A new generation born in Kunashiri Island is increasing and more native
islanders are now living there, after 61 years of illegal occupation.
  
Russian working at a grocery store said the number of goods are now 30,
40, 50 times more than before.
In the past, the good were placed at the small corner space of the store.
  
Russian who has a villa at islands of Shikotan said you can see so beautiful nature. We really enjoy our full and fruitful
life here.
  
This man wants to say to thank the former Prime Minister Putin, because
he rescued and supported our life
when a very sad economic difficulty. The woman said she is proud of to
be Russian.
Is that mean we, Russian, expelled native Japanese people from their islands?
Picture source: NHK broadcast, February 13, 2011
北方4島には日本の主権があり、オバマ政権として日本支持を表明
米高官 北方領土で日本を支持 ロシアのメドベージェフ大統領が北方領土を訪問したことに
ついて、2010年11月1日、アメリカ国務省の高官は「北方領土に関しては日本を支持する」と
述べ、アメリカ政府として、北方四島の日本の主権を認めるというアメリカの立場をあらためて
明確に示した。 ロシアのメドベージェフ大統領が11月１日、ロシアの最高首脳として初めて
北方領土の国後島を訪問したのに対し、日本政府は「北方領土は日本固有の領土だ」として、
ロシア側に抗議している。 これについて、アメリカ国務省のクローリー次官補は、「日ロ間に
領土問題があることは十分に認識しており、北方領土に関しては日本を支持する」と述べ、
北方四島の日本の主権を認めるという立場を明確に示した。 そのうえで「日本とロシアは
平和条約の締結に向けた交渉をすべきだ」と述べ、日本とロシアに対し領土問題の解決に
取り組むよう促した。アメリカ政府は、沖縄県の尖閣諸島めぐる日本と中国の対立については、
尖閣諸島が日米安全保障条約の適用範囲だとしながらも、領有権問題については明確な
言及を避けている。これに対し、クローリー次官補の発言は、北方四島の日本の主権を認める
という従来のアメリカ政府の基本姿勢を、 オバマ政権としてもあらためて確認した。
  
  
NHK News November 2, 2010
The United States showed its support for Tokyo's stance on disputed islands
off Hokkaido held
by Russia but claimed by Japan. We are quite aware of the dispute. We do
back Japan regarding
the Northern Territories," State Department spokesman Philip Crowley
told a news briefing.
His remarks came after Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on November 1,
2010,
visited Kunashiri Island, one of the four islands, which are known as the
Southern Kurils.
It is the first time a senior official of the U.S. administration of President
Barack Obama,
which has emphasized improving ties with Moscow, has explicitly expressed
Washington's
support for Japan's position on the issue.
The assistant secretary of state for public affairs, also urged the two
countries to continue
efforts toward concluding a peace treaty, saying, The United States for
a number of years
has encouraged Japan and Russia to negotiate an actual peace treaty, regarding
these and
other issues. Some analysts have said Japanese diplomacy lacks strong leadership
at a time
when neighboring countries have begun taking aggressive stances. It asked
whether Medvedev's
visit to Kunashiri Island was motivated by perceptions of Japanese weakness,
a senior U.S.
official said," I don't know. The official added, "I'll leave
it to President Medvedev to explain
why now"he decided to visit the island. The islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri
and Shikotan as
well as the Habomai islet group was seized by Soviet Union around the end
of World War II.
The territorial row has prevented Japan and Russia from concluding a peace
treaty, as
Japan has called for their return.
Source: The Mainichi Daily News, November 2, 2010
1.jpg)  
(L) In 1990's, Russia had been suffering a severe economic crisis. This
woman worker said Russia would not need the small island of Shikotan.
(M) In 2009, the native Japanese people visited the cemetery of the islands.
The Islands before the Soviet Unioin arrived there, Japan discovered and
surveyed. 'The visit to Northern Islands framework
without using a visa' has been agreed between Japan and Russia, until the
territorial issue is resolved.
(R) This beach is the profoundly memorable for the island for the native
residents.
Photo source: NHK broadcast January 8, 2011.
Former island resident protest in Hokkaido over Medvedev's visit to Northern
Territories
 
（左）北海道根室市の納沙布岬で緊急の抗議集会が開かれた。 「北方領土問題は
主権と民族の尊厳の問題だ。不法占拠している北方領土を返せ」と叫び続けた
（右）「北方領土問題に政治生命をかける」と言明した前原外相
(L) Former island residents raise their voices in protest against Russian
President, D Medvedev's visit to Kunashiri Island
at a gathering in Nemuro, Hokkaido, in November 2010.
(R) Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara said we have to overcome this very difficult
problem between Japan and Russia,
by showing our wisdom each other.
Photo source: Nemuro Municipal Government and NHK broadcast, Feberuary
13, 2011.
Former residents of the Northern Territories gathered here for a protest
on Nov. 1 2010,
against Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's visit to Kunashiri Island,
one of the disputed islands.
;This rain today is the bitter tears, the angry tears of our ancestors
during these 65 years.
We will not yield to Russia's heavy-handed actions.
We are prepared to carry on forward toward a resolution of the territorial
issue,"
yelled Nemuro Mayor Shunsuke Hasegawa amidst the strong, rain-tinged winds.
On the cape
of Nosappu in Nemuro, from which the Northern Territories can be seen,
around 250 former
islanders and others gathered, wearing headbands and sashes reading the
aim of "Return our land !"
and shouting slogans in a chorus.
"Our anger has swelled up. The four islands in South Kuril is Japanese
territory, and our
movement will not waver in the least," said an angry H Kawata, 76,
head of the Nemuro
branch of an organization of former island residents. Meanwhile, Hokkaido
Gov. H Takahashi
held an emergency press conference in which she called on Prime Minister
N Kan to
visit the Northern Territories. "It is deplorable. We want to see
an end soon to Russia's illegal
occupation of the Northern Territories, and we strongly request the government
to work
toward an end to this problem," said Takahashi.
However, some in the prefecture worry about worsening Japan-Russia relations.
"Problems
involving national boundaries are delicate, so I hope that both sides will
react in a reasonable fashion,"
said Federation of Hokkaido Chambers of Commerce and Industry Chairman,
I Takamuki.
Source: The Mainichi Daily News, November 2, 2010
2011年2月に開催された日ロ外相会議で、前原外相は北方領土問題で「日本固有の領土」と強調したが、
ロシアは自国の領土とする主張を変えることなく、双方の立場はは平行線のままで、協議継続を確認する
のが精いっぱいであった。外交関係修復を目指した前原外相に対し、ラブロフ外相は菅首相が北方領土
返還要求全国大会で、昨年のメドべージェフ大統領の国後島訪問を「許し難い暴挙」と非難したことを
冒頭に挙げて日本を牽制した。この発言に対し前原外相は「首相の発言は日本国民の声」と反論した。
ロシア軍は外相会談とほぼ同時に、北方領土を含む千島列島に新タイプの駐留部隊を創設する計画を
明らかにした。ロシア海軍の太平洋支配への拠点としての位置づけと、北方四島の返還を求める日本
側を意識しての判断である。さらに中長期的に実効支配を強めようという意図があるのだろう。
北方領土での日本の経済協力については、日本の法的立場を害さない前提で協力が可能か検討する
協議を行うことで合意した。ロシア側は度々、協力を日本に呼び掛けてきたが、進展はないままだった。
ラブロフ外相は会談後に、北方四島への中国、韓国からの投資を「歓迎する」とも述べた。消極姿勢を
続ける日本に揺さぶりを掛けたようにも受け取れる。領土問題は譲らないが、経済的な実利は追求する。
そんなずるいロシアの姿勢が一層鮮明になった。過去に武力で自国の領土を編入された民族の怒りが
身にしみて分かる。2国間の中立条約を破棄して8月15日の戦争終結後に不当に日本固有の領土を
占領したソ連、その後4島を実効支配し、自国の領土としているロシアと、快く経済協力すべきかの
疑問も残る。ただ、相手国の感情を逆撫でして平然としている核大国であるだけに、経済協力なしには、
日本への返還希望が全く消え去ってしまうとの大きなリスクもある。
2009年の政権交代から、対中国に続き、対ロシアでも外交の行き詰まりが目立つ民主党政権だが、
前原外相は北方領土返還に「政治生命を懸ける」と述べている。中国新聞は2月13日付けの社説で
政権基盤がしっかりしていないと今後の領土交渉の進展は難しいことを指摘している。
（2011年2月13日付中国新聞『本社、広島市』）
しかし、3月になって前原外相は特別永住権を持ち日本名を持つ外国人からの20万円の政治献金を受けた
と自民党に指摘され辞任した。「政治と金」が命取りになることを認識出来ていなかった外相に落ち度は
あるが、辞任の衝撃は日本国内はもとより外国にまでも拡大した。これではロシアに侮られ対ロシア外交が
更に後退してしまう。些細なことで右往左往する日本の政治構造のひ弱さと、政治に関わるものたちの
見識不在が問われている。自民党はこれで与党に痛烈な打撃を与えたと喜んでいるが、日本への信頼
をも大きく失墜させたと認識しているのだろうか。
Prime Minister Naoto Kan delivers a speech at an annual rally in Tokyo
in February 2011 held to demand the return of four Russian-held islands
off Hokkaido.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's November visit to Kunashiri Island
was an "unforgivable outrage,"
Prime Minister Naoto Kan said at the annual government-sponsored rally
in Tokyo to demand the return
of territory seized by the Soviets at the end of World War II. Medvedev's
trip was the first made by
a leader from Moscow to one of the four Russian-held islands, the return
of which Kan called"an
extremely important matter for Japan's diplomacy." Like his predecessors,
Kan meanwhile vowed to
continue negotiating with Moscow to get the islands back. The Kan administration
has been criticized
from the opposition camp and the public about its handling of sensitive
diplomatic problems. Medvedev's
trip last year kicked off a string of additional visits to the disputed
islands by Russian ministers. Foreign
Minister Seiji Maehara is set to visit Moscow later this week to meet with
his counterpart, Sergei Lavrov,
and discuss the deadlocked territorial dispute.
;For 65 years, the islands are an integral part of our nation, have not
been returned," Maehara said
at the meeting. I would risk my political career to see the islands returned
as soon as possible.
;The annual rally, held in Tokyo to commemorate "Northern Territories
was attended by
activists, former residents of the isles and lawmakers from both the ruling
and opposition parties.
In the 1855 Treaty of Commerce, Navigation and Delimitation, concluded
that Japan and Russia
confirmed the four islands are Japanese territory. At the end of World
War II, Soviet forces seized
the islands of Shikotan and Kunashiri, and also the islets of Etorofu and
Habomai and later
evicted Japanese inhabitants. The dispute has kept Moscow and Tokyo from
signing a World War II
peace treaty.
Source: Masami Ito, Staff writer, Japan Times, February 8, 2010
"Foreign investment in the four northern islands to continue to expand."
China and South Korea are now several companies are planning for aquaculture
in the
four northern islands, as well as business machines for fish processing
factories, and
some companies will have to build ships repair facility. However, if the
Chinese enterprises
to invest these four islands, to a certain extent, recognized the sovereignty
of Russia
on the four dispute islands, north to Hokkaido. Japan will therefore, suspect
that behind
the "politically motivated." Japan so worried about the expanded
foreign investment in
the four northern islands, since the investment is the recognition of the
jurisdiction of
the four islands in Russia, so the Japanese government strongly opposed.
Previously, the Russian government is always thinking and practice in Japan
with
the joint development of the four islands, but now, doing with the powerful
Russian
national and domestic political struggle. The government of Russia has
determined
to countries such as China and South Korea alone, or the development of
these islands
took, and no longer talk about Japan and the Northern Territories issue.
  
(L) NHK reported the movements to invest in the four Northern Islands are
continued to expand.
(M) The district chief of the South Kuril ( Northern Territories ) said
we try to provide a comfortable
facility to all island residents and visitors by a business investment
from foreign countries.
(R) Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia said he cannot understand why
Japan advises other countries not
to work together with Russia.
  
(L) Many cabinet members visited the Northern Island. (M) For a joint venture
agreement at the Islands
(R) A land owner is promoting employment of Chinese to work at a farm of
the Northern Territories.
  
Chinese's travel agency is planning to the 10-day nature tour at the Northern
Territories.
  
A president of Chinese's travel agency said he knows the islands are in
dispute between Japan and Russia.
However, it would provide an interest to many tourists and make it special.
Russian travel agency recognizes that Chinese is the important target for
tours in the islands.
Picture source: NHK broadcast, April 19, 2011
  
Russian TV report about Etorofu Island and geothermal power plant in the
island
Picture source: NHK broadcast, April 26, 2012
Russia pushes the development of Kuril Islands claimed by Japan as their
own land. In April 2012, the
television network in Russia reported that the Russian doctors' group visited
Etorofu Island to advise
the developers to build a hotspring resort to promote the health of people
of Russia. The island has
many active volcanoes and hot springs. There are geothermal power plants
in the island, and it can
generate electricity, enough to cover the demand for the people lives in
Etorufu. Before the illegal
occupation by Soviet Union, in 1930, about 8300 Japanese people lived on
Kunashiri island and 6000
on Etorofu island, and most of them were engaged in coastal and high sea
fishing.
加速する北方領土開発
日ロ関係で最大の懸案である北方領土問題である。2010年11月、ロシアのメドベージェフ大統領が
最高首脳として初めて北方領土の国後島を訪問して以降、日ロ関係は緊張した状態に置かれていた。
その後も日本の菅首相、小沢元代表の亀裂に象徴される与党間内部の対立、与野党間での足の
引っ張り合いが続いている。こうした日本での政治経済の弱体化をあざ笑うように、ロシア外相は、
日本は戦争で領土を奪われたこと率直に認めよと言明し、東日本の震災後はウラジオストックなどで
中国や韓国の企業向けの４島投資へのセミナーを開催し、北方領土の開発をさらに加速させている。
2012年4月、ロシア医師団がロシア国民のための温泉施設建設のため択捉島を訪れ、そのすばらしい
自然と熱湯の吹き出る源泉を視察した。択捉島では地熱発電によって、石油を一切使用せず、全島での
電力需要をまかなえることもロシアのテレビは報道している。
プーチン、北方領土問題交渉に言及、「引き分け」にと日本語で発言
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, second from right, meets with foreign
journalists at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow. CBC News'photo
 
ロシアのプーチン首相は2011年3月1日、大統領選挙を前に一部外国の報道機関を前に、北方領土問題
に言及し、自らが大統領に選ばれたときはロシア外務省と日本外務省に「ハジメ」との号令をかけ、柔道の
「引き分け」の日本語を使って、お互いに受け入れ可能な点で折り合いましょうと強調し、返還交渉を
前面に推し進めましょうとの趣旨の発言を行った。この異例の言動は大統領選挙直前のプーチン氏の
余裕の姿勢を表していると言える。
  
  
Source:Russia RTR and NHK BS1 World Wave, broadcast March 3, 2012.
Source:Russia RTR and NHK BS1 World Wave, broadcast March 5, 2012.
Mr. Putin declared his victory in the presidential election in Russia in
2012, and after, moved his to tears
of emotion. However, I sincerely hope that he can understand the butter
tears of Japanese people following
the illegal occupation of our northern island by Russia after the world
War 2.
 'Overview of the Issue of the Northern Territories' posted by Japanese
Government
Japan's Northern Territories ( English )
Japan's Northern Territories ( Russian )
 We protest strongly against the Rissia's Prdident Medvedev to set foot
on our own land
of the Northern Territories of Japan. Prime Minister Kan said "Medvedev's
visit to the Japan's
inherent islands was unforgivable outrage". It is the true voice of
all Japanese people.
2010年11月執筆 2011年3月加筆 2012年4月加筆
医学博士 宮本順伯
★引用部分を除き著作権は宮本順伯に帰属
★「禁煙席ネット」サイトへのリンクは自由
The article was written in November 2010, and last retouched in March 2012,
by Junhaku Miyamoto, M.D., PhD.
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