野田首相出席北方四島日集會

Recently the NHK News on-line reported the following:
「北方領土の日」の７日、野田総理大臣は、北方領土の返還を求める大会であいさつし、領土問題の解決に向けてロシア側との交渉を粘り強く進めていく考えを強調しました。
「北方領土の日」は、西暦１８５５年の２月７日に北方四島を日本の領土とする条約を締結したことにちなんで定められたもので、毎年、元島民らが出席して四島の返還を求める全国大会が開かれています。
７日の大会で、野田総理大臣は、現在の日ロ関係について、「去年の首脳会談で、私はメドベージェフ大統領と問題解決の必要性を再確認し、お互いに相手を尊重しつつ議論を続けて行くことで一致した。５月にはロシアで新政権が誕生し、戦略的環境が変わりつつあるアジア太平洋地域で、日ロ関係は新たな重要性を帯びてきている」と述べました。
そのうえで北方領土交渉に臨む姿勢について、「北方四島の帰属の問題を最終的に解決して、平和条約を締結するという基本方針に従い、引き続き強い意志を持って交渉を粘り強く進めていく。領土問題は国民全体の問題であり、進展させるには政府と国民が一丸となることが重要だ」と述べました。

(試譯文)

On the 7th, which was the "Northern Territories Day", Prime Minister Noda greeted the convention that was asking for the return of the Northern Territories; and he emphasized the idea of advancing negotiation with Russia tenaciously towards a solution to this territorial problem.

The "Northern Territories Day" had connection with the conclusion of the treaty which made the four islands off Hokkaido the territory of Japan on February 7, A.D. 1855; and original inhabitants were present in this national conference held every year that asked for the return of the four islands.

In the convention held on the 7th, Prime Minister Noda, regarding the present relationship between Japan and Russia said that "in the summit meeting last year I had reconfirmed with President Medvedev on the the importance of the need to solve the problem, and we were in agreement to continue the meetings, and to respect the partnership of each other. A new government would be born in Russia in May, and the Asia-Pacific region would have changing strategic environment; Japan-Russia relationship would be tinged with new importance".

Regarding the posture in face of the Northern Territories negotiation it was said that "negotiation is tenaciously advanced with relentlessly strong will in accordance with the basic policy of concluding a peace treaty, finally the problem attributed to the four islands off Hokkaido would be solved. The territorial problem is the problem of the entire people and it is important that the government and the people should join together to achieve progress."

   The Northern Territories is always a sensitive topic for the Japanese government that needs wisdom to handle.