Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Wednesday expressed his intention to visit eastern Hokkaido as early as next month to take a look at the Russian-held islands claimed by Japan.
Koizumi is likely to view the islands of Kunashiri, Etorofu, Shikotan and the Habomai group of islets either from a Self-Defense Forces helicopter or a Japan Coast Guard patrol vessel, government sources said.
He apparently hopes to show the domestic audience his resolve to settle the territorial dispute ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Japan early next year.