Hatoyama vows to resolve territorial row with Russia

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on Sunday expressed his determination to resolve a territorial dispute with Russia at an annual rally to press for the early return of four Russian-held islands off Hokkaido, describing settlement of the issue as "the biggest wish" of his administration.

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama speaks Sunday at an annual rally to mark Northern Territories Day, which commemorates the conclusion of the Treaty of Commerce, Navigation and Delimitation on Feb. 7, 1855, in which Japan and Russia confirmed that the four islands are Japanese territory. KYODO PHOTO

"Resolving the issue of the Northern Territories is the biggest wish that I want to fulfill after the change of government," Hatoyama said, pledging to make all-out efforts toward realizing the desire of former residents to return to the islands.

Hatoyama also said the two countries' 1956 joint declaration "cannot be a conclusion" and that he would start by "clarifying to whom the four islands belong."

The Soviet-Japanese Joint Declaration, signed by then Prime Minister Ichiro Hatoyama, the premier's grandfather, restored diplomatic relations between the countries. The declaration stipulates that Shikotan Island and the Habomai islet group would be returned to Japan after the two countries conclude a peace treaty.

"There are various approaches (to resolving the dispute). There are big advantages for Russia if it gets closer to Japan, which is economically and technologically advanced," Hatoyama said, reiterating his plan to simultaneously promote economic exchanges and negotiations to settle the territorial dispute.

During his meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev last year, Hatoyama said he would not accept the idea of settling the territorial dispute with the return of two of the four islands, which also include Kunashiri and Etorofu.

The rally is held every year in Japan to mark Northern Territories Day, which commemorates the conclusion of the Treaty of Commerce, Navigation and Delimitation on Feb. 7, 1855, in which Japan and Russia confirmed that the four islands are Japanese territory.

The Soviet Union occupied the islands, known in Japan as the Northern Territories and in Russia as the Southern Kurils, at the end of World War II.

Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada and Seiji Maehara, the minister in charge of issues related to Okinawa and the Northern Territories, also joined the rally attended by former Japanese residents of the islands.