Parade calls for return of Russian-held islands

A parade was held in Sapporo, northern Japan, on Monday to call for the return of 4 Russian-held islands claimed by Japan.

The parade, the first of its kind, was held on the anniversary of the signing of the 1855 Russo-Japan treaty that recognized the 4 islands as Japanese territory.

It followed visits by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and senior defense officials to the disputed islands in recent months.

About 100 people, including former residents of the islands and the governor of Hokkaido Prefecture, took part. They chanted that the islands are an integral part of Japan as they marched through the city center for half an hour.

A college student says he hopes the parade will raise awareness of the territorial issue among young people like himself.

A participant in his 80s says he hopes Russia will return the islands soon despite the strained bilateral relationship.

The former Soviet Union seized the islands shortly after World War Two ended in 1945.