Moscow: The Russian Prosecutor General's Office announced the designation of the Japanese non-governmental organization (NGO) "Northern Territories Issue Association" as undesirable. The office stated that the organization, based in Tokyo, claims to be independent and non-governmental, yet it is mostly funded by budgetary resources.

According to Namibia Press Agency, members of the NGO concentrate on the "northern territories" issue, specifically the Russian islands of Iturup, Kunashir, and the Lesser Kuril Chain. They publicly assert their non-recognition of Russia's jurisdiction over these territories. The organization is linked to the Japanese national movement advocating for the return of the "northern territories."

The NGO conducts the "Campaign for the Return of the Northern Territories," which encompasses activities at educational facilities such as the Hoppo-kan Northern Museum, Betsukai Northern Observation Tower, and Rausu Kunashiri Observation Tower. The organization finances research and devises new strategies to bring the Kuril Islands under Japanese control. It also produces educational content, organizes seminars, and distributes propaganda materials including books and souvenirs with cartographic elements, as noted by the office.

The association's consultative council includes members from the League of Residents of the Chishima and Habomai Islands and a union for the "return of the northern territories," both of which Russia considers undesirable. Historically, in 1956, a declaration was signed between the Soviet Union and Japan, where Moscow agreed to consider the transfer of the Habomai and Shikotan islands to Japan following a peace treaty. However, the islands of Kunashir and Iturup were not part of this agreement, leading to Japan maintaining its claims to all four islands despite the Soviet Union's hopes that the declaration would resolve the dispute.