Abe thanks Putin for facilitating Japanese citizens' visit to graves of their ancestors in South Kurils
MOSCOW. April 27 (Interfax) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for his decision for the first time in the history of bilateral relations to arrange a flight for former Japanese residents of the South Kuril Islands for their visit to the graves of their ancestors and to increase the number of crossing points for such trips by Japanese citizens.
"I have welcomed President Putin in Nagato last December; in my native city President Putin has read out a letter from former residents of the islands, northern territories, in which they shared their pain and their innermost thoughts with him. President Putin had an attentive and serious look then. I remember very well your look at that moment and your whole figure," Abe told the Russian president at a press conference in Moscow.
Abe reminded that during the visit to Japan Putin "said honestly and frankly that he was deeply touched."
"It was decided for the first time in history to arrange a visit by plane to the graves of their family members by former residents of the islands. I want former residents of the islands to visit the graves of their ancestors in Kunashir and Iturup on a good day in June," Abe said.
"Over many years there have been only one border checkpoint there, and now the number of crossing points will be increased," he said.
"We agreed that such a checkpoint will be opened near the Habomai Islands as well. I want it to be fulfilled already in August," the Japanese prime minister said.