A: Hey there, buddy! Guess what?
B: What's up? Tell me!
A: You didn't hear about it? Those islands we call Northern Territories had a special event.
B: Oh really? Which ones are you talking about?
A: Russia controls them, but Japan says they belong to us. There's been this ongoing dispute since after World War Two.
B: I remember! But what happened now?
A: About 70 people, including families of former residents, went on a ship from Hokkaido. They wanted to pay respects to their ancestors at the islands, but they couldn't due to some reasons.
B: What were those reasons?
A: Well, Russia's invasion of Ukraine and other issues made it impossible for them to visit the graves on the islands. So instead, they had an ocean memorial ceremony.
B: That's sad. I hope they can visit their ancestors' graves soon.
A: Yeah, me too! They started this ocean memorial ceremony last year and plan to hold six more this year, including trips near some of the islands.
----------------
Former residents of four islands that Japan calls the Northern Territories have offered prayers for their ancestors at a ceremony held at sea.
Russia controls the islands. Japan claims them. The Japanese government maintains the islands are an inherent part of Japan's territory. It says the islands were illegally occupied after World War Two.
About 70 people, including former residents and their families, set off from Nemuro Port in Hokkaido on Sunday. They traveled on a ship built specifically for former islanders to visit the islands.
Before their departure, Matsumoto Yuzo, the head of a group of former island residents, said they have been unable to pay respects to their ancestors in the way they want to. He said he hopes the ceremony will boost momentum toward a resumption of visits to the graves of ancestors on the islands.
Grave visits have been put on hold due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and other factors. There is no prospect for a resumption.
The ocean memorial ceremony started in 2022. It is organized by the former islanders' group, the Hokkaido government and another organization.
The organizers plan to hold six more ceremonies this year. Some will include trips off the coasts of the Habomai Islands and Kunashiri Island.
B: What's up? Tell me!
A: You didn't hear about it? Those islands we call Northern Territories had a special event.
B: Oh really? Which ones are you talking about?
A: Russia controls them, but Japan says they belong to us. There's been this ongoing dispute since after World War Two.
B: I remember! But what happened now?
A: About 70 people, including families of former residents, went on a ship from Hokkaido. They wanted to pay respects to their ancestors at the islands, but they couldn't due to some reasons.
B: What were those reasons?
A: Well, Russia's invasion of Ukraine and other issues made it impossible for them to visit the graves on the islands. So instead, they had an ocean memorial ceremony.
B: That's sad. I hope they can visit their ancestors' graves soon.
A: Yeah, me too! They started this ocean memorial ceremony last year and plan to hold six more this year, including trips near some of the islands.
----------------
Former residents of four islands that Japan calls the Northern Territories have offered prayers for their ancestors at a ceremony held at sea.
Russia controls the islands. Japan claims them. The Japanese government maintains the islands are an inherent part of Japan's territory. It says the islands were illegally occupied after World War Two.
About 70 people, including former residents and their families, set off from Nemuro Port in Hokkaido on Sunday. They traveled on a ship built specifically for former islanders to visit the islands.
Before their departure, Matsumoto Yuzo, the head of a group of former island residents, said they have been unable to pay respects to their ancestors in the way they want to. He said he hopes the ceremony will boost momentum toward a resumption of visits to the graves of ancestors on the islands.
Grave visits have been put on hold due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and other factors. There is no prospect for a resumption.
The ocean memorial ceremony started in 2022. It is organized by the former islanders' group, the Hokkaido government and another organization.
The organizers plan to hold six more ceremonies this year. Some will include trips off the coasts of the Habomai Islands and Kunashiri Island.
Similar Readings (5 items)
Ex-residents of Northern Territories honor ancestors in ocean ceremony
Ex-residents call for return of Russian-held islands to Japan
Russian residents on Japan-claimed island clean Japanese graves
Memorial held at sea off Northern Territories
Russia trying to boost patriotism among residents on islands claimed by Japan
Summary
Former residents of disputed Northern Territories islands, controlled by Russia but claimed by Japan, held a sea memorial ceremony for their ancestors. Approximately 70 individuals, including former residents and families, embarked from Nemuro Port in Hokkaido due to ongoing issues preventing
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ID: f6aa335b-2ad0-4e67-adf3-6d876aa33890
Category ID: nhk
URL: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20250720_12/
Date: July 20, 2025
Created: 2025/07/22 07:01
Updated: 2025/12/08 03:17
Last Read: 2025/07/22 07:42