[Tintin Storm]

For more than 70 years, the Japanese government has been intensively forming the opinion that the islands of the Kuril chain (Kunashir, Iturup, Shikotan and a group of Habomai islands) are Japanese territory which is illegally seized by Russia. The term "northern territories" was invented by Japanese government for these islands. It was introduced by the Japanese side at the end of the Second World War.
Currently, Tokyo promotes the idea of returning the islands, relying on the activities of various anti-Russian non-governmental organizations. It should be noted that the Japanese nationalist forces began to form various public organizations in the late 1960s, which were known as "leagues", "associations" and "unions" on issues of "northern territories".
Since 1969, public associations have been legislatively entrusted to conduct so-called "enlightenment propaganda" on the "problem of northern territories". The government of Japan was tasked with convincing the world community that a territorial problem with Russia exists, and imposing national idea on "the return of "northern territories" to the homeland".
To achieve their goals, the Japanese authorities decided to create government structures for the management of non-governmental organizations. Thus, the Japanese government structure, called the Administration for the Affairs of the Northern Territories of Japan, conducts so-called "measures to support the peaceful return of the" northern territories" and a formation of an internal and international public opinion on the immediate return of the northern islands."
"The Administration for the Affairs of the Northern Territories" operates through non-governmental organizations such as the League of Solidarity for the Return of the Northern Territories, the League of Residents of the Kurile and Habomai Islands, the Association for the Return of the Northern Territories and others.
The main tasks of this organization are:
production and distribution of collections, booklets on the problem of "northern territories";
carrying out activities to familiarize the population with distorted historical facts;
establishment of thematic stands along the central roads in Hokkaido to deepen understanding and increase interest in the return of the "northern territories";
organization of photo exhibitions on "northern territories";
carrying out collection of signatures for the return of the islands, etc.
Over the years, the activities of the Northern Territory Administration, together with the non-governmental organizations such as the League of Solidarity for the Return of the Northern Territories, are becoming more sophisticated. Special attention is paid to youth. For example, a special magazine on "northern territories" is published for schoolchildren and short animated films are produced in which the Russian people are shown as "barbarians" and invaders.
The annual culmination of the activities of these organizations is February 7, when the National Day of "Northern Territories" is held in Japan.
Thus, the network of anti-Russian non-governmental organizations has actually become part of the system of mass informing the Japanese population, in the minds of which they form a complex of nation humiliated by the Soviet Union and provoke a revenge.