Northern Territories Issue Association

The Northern Territories Issue Association is an advocacy organization with an office on the ninth floor of the Sumitomo Fudosan Ueno Building in Taito, Tokyo. It coordinates discussions about the four northern islands between Japan and Russia.

The organization was founded in 1968 as a liaison council and reformed in 1977 to strengthen its mission addressing territorial claims from World War II. This restructuring made it a more influential voice in Japanese foreign policy.

The organization works with education councils across regions to inform young people about the historical ties to the four disputed northern islands. This effort shapes how people in Japan understand their connection to this territorial question.

The office is accessible by foot in about six minutes from Iriya Station or about 14 minutes from the Asakusa exit of JR Ueno Station. Its central location in Ueno makes it easy to combine a visit with other nearby places.

The organization played a role in the construction of the Bridge to the Four Islands in 1981, which contains a permanent flame. This symbol represents hope for the return of those territories and stands as a quiet monument to an ongoing question.