Japanese Prime Minister Inspects Four Northern Islands under Territorial Dispute

Japanese Prime Minister Inspects Four Northern Islands under Territorial Dispute. September. 02, 2004 22:11. .

On September 2, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi (right) inspects four northern islands that are under territorial dispute with Russia. As a prime minister for two consecutive terms, this is his third inspection, but it is different from his former inspections which were via airplane as this one was on a coast guard inspection boat in close range. This seems to be an earnest emphasis on the current situation with Russian President Vladimir Putin visiting Japan next year.