February 7 was "Northern Territory Day", the day when the National Convention for the Return of the Northern Territories 2002 was held at Kudan Kaikan Hall in Tokyo in order to seek the early return all four
islands at once and conclusion of peace treaty. RENGO is one of the affiliates on the executive planning committee, an organizer of the convention. 1600 participants including Prime Minister Koizumi and Foreign Minister Kawaguchi gathered to renew
their resolution to bring about the demands.
Representing the government, Prime Minister Koizumi stated that "there is no change in our policy of concluding a peace treaty after clarifying that the four northern islands are Japan's jurisdiction." Foreign Minister Kawaguchi stressed
that "we are making every effort and will continue to negotiate tenaciously." A RENGO representative resolutely stated, "we will take decisive and proactive action to bring about the return of all four islands."
Before the convention began, slides depicting "the Northern Territories Now" were projected attracting the attention of many participants.
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