Former residents headed out Monday to visit the Russian-held islands off Hokkaido under a bilateral visa-free exchange program, the first such trip since the two countries agreed to ease travel restrictions.
Approximately 60 people departed from the port in Nemuro aboard a chartered ship bound for Kunashiri Island. They are scheduled to visit the sites of their former family homes through Thursday.
In meetings in December and last month, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Vladimir Putin agreed to streamline procedures for the visa-free trips and allow the participants to enter some previously restricted areas on the islands.