evidence: Preliminary learning also took place for other trip itineraries. A group of students planning to visit Nemuro and learn about the Northern Territories received a video letter from Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister of State for Okinawa and Northern Territories Affairs (position at that time; currently Minister of Foreign Affairs). At that time, student planning to visit Sakhalin (Karafuto) were starting procedures to obtain a Russian visa. Students learned that the Northern Territories are depicted on the flag of Sakhalin Oblast and that obtaining a visa would allow them to travel to Kunashiri Island and Iturup Island in the Northern Territories. As preliminary learning proceeded for each itinerary, the learning contents were naturally connected, thus creating a meaningful learning experience for students in all itineraries. [...] When climbing a hill overlooking Aniva Bay, students were greeted by a crumbled memorial dedicated to the landing of the Japanese army. The vast blue ocean stretches out below. In distance, one can see the giant plant for LNG which is part of the Sakhalin 2 Project. The discarded pillboxes of Japanese soldiers lie at our feet. The farm fields spanning the hills are scattered with the vacation homes of a Russian ethnic group known as Dacha, showing the lifestyle of local people. From this hill, one can gaze over the past, present and future of Sakhalin (Karafuto). Immediately adjacent to the town lifestyle is the site of new and old national projects. [...] Sakhalin (Karafuto) Through the Eyes of High School Students ―A file of the study tour by Chuo University Suginami High School