Residents from Kunashiri, one of four Russian-held islands off Hokkaido, visited Nemuro in eastern Hokkaido on Monday together with a group of Russian officials to learn about garbage processing.

The visit comes ahead of a planned joint investment project with Japan in the Northern Territories. Along with officials from Sakhalin, the residents are taking part in a five-day visit through Friday. Their itinerary includes visits to a waste recycling facility and an incineration plant.

The residents are making use a visa-free program between the two countries, according to a Russian source.