Former islanders protest in Hokkaido over Medvedev's visit to Northern Territories

NEMURO, Hokkaido -- Former residents of the Northern Territories gathered here for a protest on Nov. 1 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, "Return the Northern Territories!" and shouting slogans in chorus.

"Our anger has swelled up. The Northern Territories are Japanese territory, and our movement will not waver in the least," said an angry Hirotoshi Kawata, 76, head of the Nemuro branch of an organization of former island residents.

Meanwhile, Hokkaido Gov. Harumi Takahashi held an emergency press conference in which she called on Prime Minister Naoto Kan to visit the Northern Territories.

"It's deplorable (that Medvedev visited the island). 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 Iwao Takamuki.