2 days ago
Ex-residents of Japan's Northern Territories honor ancestors in ceremony at sea
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.
