Medvedev visit to Kuril Islands stokes Japan row

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is visiting the Kurils, defying Japan's warnings not to visit the disputed islands in the Pacific Ocean, reports BBC News.

Mr Medvedev is the first Russian leader to set foot on the Kuril Islands. In Kunashir, the second-largest of the four islands, met local residents and promised greater investment in the region.

"We have an interest in people remaining here. It is important that there be development here, we will invest money here without fail," Interfax news agency quoted him as saying.

His visit comes shortly before his planned trip to Japan for an Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) meeting in mid-November.

Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan immediately described Mr Medvedev's visit as "regrettable." In Tokyo, Mr Kan reiterated Japan's stance on the islands.

"Those four northern islands are part of our country's territory, so the president's visit is very regrettable," he said.

Earlier, Russia's top diplomat, Sergei Lavrov, warned that Mr Medvedev was free to visit any Russian region he chose.