Russia vice-PM defends visit to disputed islands

Japan FM says trip 'runs counter to' his country's basic position

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia - Russia's Vice-Prime Minister Sergey Ivanov said on Monday that his visit to the disputed Iturup and Kunashir islands was only for working purposes, and he did not intend to "make somebody angry", local media reported.

Ivanov and four other Cabinet ministers on Sunday visited Kunashir and Iturup islands, two of Russia's four disputed islands with Japan.