Maehara views disputed isles, renews resolve to settle row with Russia+

TOKYO, Dec. 4 Kyodo -
Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara flew Saturday near four Russian-held islands off
Hokkaido claimed by Japan, and renewed resolve to settle a territorial dispute
with Russia.
''I really want to resolve the issue concerning the Northern Territories,''
Maehara told reporters on board a Japan Coast Guard airplane after viewing the
islands.
''Relations between Japan and Russia will become solid if the territorial issue
is settled. We have to tackle it steadily by taking various measures,'' said
the minister, who boarded on the airplane at Chitose airport in Hokkaido.
Maehara became the first Japanese minister to view the islands following
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's Nov. 1 visit to one of the islands.
Later in the day in Nemuro, Hokkaido, Maehara is expected to exchange views
with former Japanese islanders who have sought the return of the four islands.
The islands are called the Southern Kurils in Russia.
Maehara visited Nemuro in October last year as minister in charge of the
Northern Territories and viewed Kunashiri, Etorofu and Shikotan islands, as
well as the Habomai islet group, provoking the Russian side by saying, ''We
must continue claiming that it is an unlawful occupation.''
After becoming foreign minister, Maehara met with his Russian counterpart
Sergei Lavrov last month in Yokohama, and agreed to explore a mutually
acceptable solution to the territorial dispute.
The territorial spat has prevented the two countries from signing a postwar
peace treaty.
==Kyodo