Outline of irredentist movement organizations

Prefectural councils for the Campaign for the Return of the Northern Territories (hereinafter: "prefectural councils")

To unify various organizations that had been continuing the Campaign for the Return of the Northern Territories individually in various places, to gather the voices of local residents, and to further enhance the local irredentist movement, a prefectural council for that movement was organized in each prefecture after the Miyagi Prefectural Council was established in 1970. Branch councils were finally established in all prefectures when the Shimane Prefectural Council was formed in 1987.

Each prefectural council is made up of youth, women, labor, and economic groups, as well as administrative and other organizations, and is engaged in prefectural conventions, workshops and lectures, panel exhibitions, street campaigns, petition campaigns, and caravan activities through public-private joint efforts.

In addition, as a measure to secure successors to the irredentist movement, the prefectural councils work closely with educator councils for the Northern Territories issue to enhance Northern Territories education in school and projects for young people, who will shape the future.

The Northern Territories Irredentist Movement Liaison Council (abbreviation: Hokurenkyo)

In 1968, the Northern Territories Issue Liaison Council was organized by youth, women, and labor groups, and other nationwide organizations working on the Campaign for the Return of the Northern Territories in order to create a foundation for the irredentist movement. In 1977, the council was dissolved so that a better organization might be formed, and the current Northern Territories Irredentist Movement Liaison Council was launched.

Hokurenkyo has expanded its member organizations and has incorporated six local groups to become a body made up of approximately 60 organizations. Utilizing the characteristics of member organizations, it develops various projects.
For instance, it played a leading role in the construction of the Bridge to the Four Islands, a symbolic statue that was erected in the wish for the return of the Northern Territories (completed in September 1981), and in the implementation of a nationwide caravan that carries the Flame of Prayer lit there, and the establishment of Northern Territories Day (approved by the Cabinet in 1981). Hokurenkyo also takes the initiative in implementing the annual National Rally for the Return of the Northern Territories in Tokyo on February 7, which is attended by the Prime Minister.

Northern Territories issue educator councils (hereinafter: "educator councils")

The Campaign for the Return of the Northern Territories calls for the urgent resolution of the Northern Territories issue, yet persistent efforts are required for that resolution. Accordingly, priority is placed on the enlightenment of young people and the fostering of successors to the irredentist movement. Against this backdrop, the role of educators in school education will become increasingly important in the future. To enhance Northern Territories education, an educator council on the Northern Territories issue was established in each prefecture in FY 2003 by educators who participated in workshops organized by the Association, and branch councils were finally established in all prefectures in February 2019. 　

Prefectural council members (hereinafter: "council members")

In order for the Campaign for the Return of the Northern Territories to be effectively implemented with the strong cooperation of prefectural governments and various regional private organizations and for cooperation between central and local organizations to be strengthened, the Association established a system to commission promotional committee members with the recommendation of prefectural governors in October 1975, and it has since commissioned council members every year.
To effectively and efficiently implement the irredentist movement in regions, the promotional committee members work closely with the Association, prefectural councils, and prefectural governments, and participate in the planning and implementation of various projects for awareness-raising activities in regional communities.