Japan Pushes Youth Awareness of Northern Territories Dispute

The newly appointed minister for Okinawa and Northern Territories affairs, Yasuhiro Hanashi, announced a program aimed at increasing young people’s understanding of the territorial dispute with Russia. In an interview on Thursday, Hanashi said the effort will involve organizing school trips to regions near the four islands—Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotan and the Habomai islets—and disseminating related information through social-media channels. He also pledged to cooperate with the Foreign Ministry to share the issue abroad and to revive a bilateral exchange program that would allow former residents to visit ancestral graves on the islands.

Japan TimesINTERVIEW: Japan to Raise Youth Awareness about Northern Territories

The islands, referred to in Japan as the Northern Territories, were seized by Soviet forces in the closing days of World War II. Japan continues to claim sovereignty over all four, while Russia maintains control. Hanashi described the disagreement as “the biggest pending issue” between the two nations and affirmed Japan’s determination to resolve it and conclude a peace treaty.

INTERVIEW: Japan to Raise Youth Awareness about Northern Territories

He linked the youth-education drive to broader policy goals, noting that addressing the burden of U.S. military bases on Okinawa remains a priority. Regarding fiscal planning, Hanashi said the government will consider measures that genuinely aid Okinawa’s development while listening to Governor Genta Koja, who took office last month. He indicated that any increase in the Okinawa development budget for fiscal 2027 will be evaluated through a step-by-step compilation of helpful measures rather than a single budget figure.

Japan Times

• “We’ll also promote the dissemination of information (about the issue) abroad, in cooperation with the Foreign Ministry,” — Yasuhiro Hanashi

Japan Times

• “Addressing the burden (on Okinawa) of hosting U.S. bases is an important policy task.” — Yasuhiro Hanashi

Japan Times

No specific timeline was provided for the resumption of exchange visits or for the rollout of school-trip initiatives.

Japan Times