Character of a samurai
On November 1, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev paid his first visit to the Kuril Islands despite attempts by Tokyo to prevent the trip. Japan expressed concerns over the move saying that it considers the South Kuril Islands its territory.
Meanwhile, Medvedev said Russia was interested in developing this Russian region. The president visited Kunashir, the southernmost island of the Kuril chain.
The visit was the first trip by a head of state of Russia or the former Soviet Union to the South Kuril Islands. The dispute has prevented Russia and Japan from signing a formal peace treaty since 1945.
