北方領土原居民在東京市舉行示威

Recently the NHK News on-line reported the following:

北方領土の元島民などが東京の都心をデモ行進し、北方領土問題への理解と島の早期返還の実現を訴えました。

これは北方領土問題への関心を高めて早期返還の交渉進展に向けた世論を喚起しようと、毎年行われ今回で７回目になります。
１日は、北海道の根室地方などに住む北方領土の元島民や、全国の返還運動の関係者およそ５００人のほか、初めて北海道の高橋知事も参加しました。
出発式で高橋知事は「政府の外交交渉を後押しするためにも世論の高まりが重要だ」と述べました。
このあと参加者たちは、「島を返せ」「返還運動を盛り上げよう」などとシュプレヒコールを挙げながら２キロにわたって行進し、沿道では大勢の買い物客などが行進の様子を眺めていました。
(試譯文)

The former inhabitants of the Northern Territories etc. staged a demonstration at the center of Tokyo, they appealed for an understanding on the Northern Territories issue, and for the realization of an early return of the islands.

This was performed every year in order to arouse the public opinion for heightening the concern over the Northern Territories issue and for an early negotiation progress for their return; this time would be the 7th time.

On the first of this month about 500 people had participated, they including former inhabitants of the Northern Territories who lived in the Nemuro region of Hokkaido etc. and the people involved in the national movement for the return. Governor Takahashi of Hokkaido also joined for the first time.

Governor Takahashi said in the departing ceremony that "to heighten public opinion is important in order to back up governmental diplomatic negotiations".

Participants marched over 2 km after the ceremony, citing "return the islands", "to boost up the return movement" etc. in a choral yelling. Many shoppers along the route watched at the marching procession.

So, Japan is also having territorial disputes with Russia, besides South Korea and China.