Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara said Monday that Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's visit to disputed isle "hurts Japanese public sentiment."

Maehara made the remarks at a meeting of the budget committee of the lower house in response to a question concerning Medvedev's visit to Kunashiri Island, one of the Russian-held islands claimed by Japan.

Local media reported that Medvedev visited Kunashiri Island Monday, becoming the first leader from Russia or the former Soviet Union to set foot on any of the islands off Hokkaido, which are called the Northern Territories in Japan and the Southern Kurils in Russia.

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