Almost a century has passed since Japan first entered the world community by concluding a treaty of amity with the United States of America in 1854.
At the time of the opening of Japan, her ownership of two islands of Etoroff and Kunashiri of the South Kuriles was not questioned at all by the Czarist government.
Being unarmed as we are, we must, in order to ward off the danger of war, seek help from a country that can and will help us.
Both Sakhalin and the North and South Kuriles were taken unilaterally by Russia as of September 20, 1945, shortly after Japan's surrender.
But the North Kuriles north of Urruppu and the southern half of Sakhalin were areas open to both Japanese and Russian settlers.
By perfecting this legislative machinery and by participating in the various international agreements we intend to contribute to the wholesome development of world trade.
Even we Japanese, who are happy to accept the treaty, find in it certain points which cause us pain and anxiety.
I am glad to believe that the signing of the Japanese Peace Treaty today marks one good fruit of their noble endeavors in that direction.
I speak of the old Japan, because out of the ashes of the old Japan there has risen a new Japan.
Japan has opened a new chapter in its history.
Moreover, article 14 empowers Allied Nations, which have suffered no damage from the war, to seize Japanese private property in their countries.
The conclusion of this peace treaty arouses afresh the anxiety of the Japanese people regarding the fate of the more than 340 thousand of their compatriots, who have failed to return.
The second is that the role of China trade in Japanese economy, important as it is, has often been exaggerated, as proven by our experience of the past 6 years.
There is fear as to whether Japan, reduced to such a predicament, could ever manage to pay reparations to certain designated Allied Powers without shifting the burden upon the other Allied Powers.
We are determined that our nation shall cease to be a burden on other countries but shall contribute positively to world prosperity, while observing fully the fair trade practices in international commerce.
We have listened here to the delegates who have recalled the terrible human suffering, and the great material destruction of the late war in the Pacific. It is with feelings of sorrow that we recall the part played in that catastrophic human experience by the old Japan.
We pray that henceforth not only Japan but all mankind may know the blessings of harmony and progress.
We see in the future a new era among nations, an era of peace and harmony as described in the opening words of the Charter of the United Nations.
We will not fail your expectations of us as a new nation dedicated to peace, democracy, and freedom.
With her war-shattered economy salvaged through American aid, Japan is making progress on the road of recovery.
With respect to the Kuriles and South Sakhalin, I cannot yield to the c1aim of the Soviet Delegate that Japan had grabbed them by aggression.
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