A group of former residents of the Russian-held islands off northeastern Hokkaido left Friday for a regularly scheduled, visa-free visit, despite bilateral tensions caused by the fatal shooting of a Japanese fisherman by a Russian patrol boat Wednesday.
A group of 54 people made up of former residents of the four Russian-held islands -- Kunashiri, Etorofu, Shikotan and the Habomai islets -- relatives and supporters left Nermuro port early Friday. They are scheduled to take part in events aimed at promote exchanges with Russian residents and will return to Japan on Monday.
The visa-free visits are sponsored by the Foreign Ministry and held several times a year.