Former residents of Russian-held Japanese-claimed islands to hold memorial services at sea and in the air between July 25 and Nov. 7

The Hokkaido prefectural government will organize memorial services in collaboration with the League of Residents of Chishima and Habomai Islands. A maritime service will depart from Nemuro port on the exchange ship Etopirika, with four one-day and two overnight tours scheduled between July 25 and Sept. 3. An aerial service is planned for Oct. 31 and Nov. 7, with flights departing from Nakashibetsu Airport.

The aerial memorial service is being introduced this year in consideration of the physical burden on former residents, whose average age is over 90. This marks the first time an aerial service will be combined with a service at sea, though an aerial memorial was held in fiscal 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The maritime memorial service continues for the fifth consecutive year since Russia began its invasion in 2022. Exchange programs have been suspended due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.