This year, the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, Russia has emphasized its status as a "victor country" and has also taken a hard-line stance regarding the northern territories (The Kuril islands are recognized internationally as belonging to Russia , but Japan disputes ownership of two islands, Etorofu and Kunashiri, that it calls the northern territories.)
It is likely that his visit to the island aims to demonstrate at home and abroad Russia's effective control of the northern territories.
The Japanese government asked Russia to cancel the prime minister's visit, but the request was ignored, indicating that Russia clearly refuses to compromise over the disputed area.
It is also possible that the visit could adversely affect a planned visit to Japan by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
According to Russia's Interfax news agency, Medvedev arrived on Etorofu Island via Sakhalin in Russia.
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On Etrofu Island, Medvedev inspected the condition of infrastructure improvements and instructed the local government to improve its airport's ability to handle takeoffs and landings during inclement weather.
According to the Sputnik news agency, Medvedev presented on the island a plan of the establishment of the advanced development territories in the Kuril Islands of Iturup (Etorofu) and Kunashiri.
On July 18, Russian Healthcare Minister Veronika Skvortsova visited the northern territories, while Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Trutnev, who is in charge of developments in the Russian Far East, made a visit on Aug. 13.
The Russian government has made clear in its long-term policy for the development of the disputed area that the islands are its "own territories."
