Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s pledge to revive visits by former residents to the Russia-controlled islands off Japan’s far north has reignited debate over whether humanitarian exchanges can survive the deep freeze in Tokyo–Moscow relations.
Analysts say the political climate has turned far more hostile since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, leaving “no chance” of such visits resuming while Japan supports Kyiv and Moscow deepens its strategic alignment with Beijing.
Takaichi made the pledge during a recent meeting with Hokkaido Governor Naomichi Suzuki and representatives of displaced islander families – a reminder of how every new Japanese leader must confront the unresolved Northern Territories issue even as the geopolitical environment becomes increasingly unforgiving.
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Suzuki, a long-time advocate for renewing access to the islands, has lobbied successive prime ministers to negotiate with Moscow on reopening the sea route linking Hokkaido to the islands during the summer months.
“We hope that concrete progress will be made in the effort to resolve the territorial issue,” he told reporters on Monday.
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Takaichi agreed, describing the matter as a pressing humanitarian concern. “This is a humanitarian issue for which we cannot waste any more time as the former residents of the islands are very old,” she said following the meeting in Tokyo.