Japan's foreign minister Seiji Maehara flew within sight of islands held by Russia but claimed by Japan. Saturday's fly over comes a month after Russian president Dmitry Medvedev visited the islands. The two countries have recently discussed the issue to prevent further escalation.

Local media reported, Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara on Saturday viewed from a Japan Coast Guard plane the four Russian-held islands off Hokkaido.

On Tuesday, Maehara announced his plan to view the disputed territories as a way to explain to former Japanese residents who used to lived on the islands, what he discussed with the Russian foreign minister.

Maehara held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the APEC 2010 leaders meeting in Yokohama in November to discuss the dispute.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visited the Kunashiri Island, on November the 1st.

Medvedev's visit sparked an intensive response from the Japan.

Japan announced it would recall its ambassador to Russia temporarily soon after the event.

The group of four islands are called the Northern Territories by Japan and the southern Kurils by Russia. They are surrounded by rich fishing waters and are believed to have promising offshore oil and natural gas reserves, plus gold and silver deposits.

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