Medvedev dismisses Japanese anger over island visit

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev says he is not interested in Japan's reaction to his visit to one of the four Russian-held islands claimed by Japan.

Medvedev visited Kunashiri Island off Hokkaido, northern Japan on Tuesday, drawing protests from the Japanese government.Medvedev spoke to reporters in Kamchatka on Thursday during his tour of Russia's Far East.Medvedev said he is so indifferent to Japan's reaction that he does not want to waste his time answering questions on the matter.

He called the visit one by a Russian prime minister to Russian territory and expressed strong willingness to return to the islands.Russia has unveiled a plan to build aquaculture facilities on the Russian-held islands off Hokkaido, claimed by Japan.

Russia's fisheries agency chief Andrei Krainy made the plan public on Thursday at a news conference in Moscow.He said his country will spend 160 million dollars setting up 8 aquaculture farms on Etorofu and Kunashiri islands.Krainy added the plan was decided upon at a meeting on Tuesday in Sakhalin in the Far East.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev also attended the meeting before visiting Kunashiri. He said Russia should prioritize the development of the islands among its issues related to the Far East.