Japanese Prime Minister Inspects Four Northern Islands under Territorial Dispute

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.