A Russian government delegation led by Regional Development Minister Victor Basargin on Monday visited Kunashiri Island, one of the four Russian-held islands also claimed by Japan, local media reported on Tuesday.

According to the Russian authorities, Basargin was assigned by President Dmitry Medvedev to visit the disputed islands, with the purpose of inspecting infrastructure development in the course of implementation of Federal Target Program 2007-2015.

Russia and Japan have long been at odds over the sovereignty of the four Pacific islands, which are called the Northern Territories in Japan and the Southern Kurils in Russia.

The delegation is also planned to visit Etorufu Island on Tuesday, which is another of the four. According to Basargin, a new scheme of Federal Target Program of socio-economic development of Russian Far East till 2025 will be prepared by April, in which Kurils program will be an important part.