894.014/4–347
The Political Adviser in Japan (Atcheson) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 10.]
Subject: Forwarding Copy of Petition for Restoration of Islands Belonging to Hokkaido.
The United States Political Adviser has the honor to refer to this Mission’s despatch no. 891 dated March 4, 1947,58 and to previous correspondence regarding the return from Russian jurisdiction to Japanese jurisdiction of certain islands adjacent to Hokkaido, and to forward [Page 200] a copy of the English text of a petition dated March 24, 1947,59 filed at this Headquarters by Honna Takeshi, representing the members of the House of Representatives from Hokkaido.
The petition requests the return of the following named islands of the Kurile Archipelago to Japanese jurisdiction:
The Shikotan Group (including Shikotan, Taraku, Shibotsu, Suisho, Yuri, and Akiyuri), constituting a part of Nemuro Province on the main island of Hokkaido; and
The Islands of Southern Kuriles, i.e., Etorofu and Kunashiri.