According to RIA Novosti, the creation of new airport on Iturup Island, reconstruction of existing airport on Kunashir Island, reconstruction of highway on Shikotan Island and construction of berthing network in Yuzhno-Kurilsk along with construction of fish factory on Kunashir are planned in 2011 in accordance with Federal Target Program "Social and Economic Development of Kuril Islands". It has been reported in a presentation made by Ministry of regional development regarding the results of 2010 and plans on 2011.

"The amount of finance from the federal budget allocated for carrying out this policy is 1,14 billion rubles in 2011. These funds will particularly be used for reconstruction of Mendeleevo airport's airfield for using An-24 aircraft...construction of Iturup airport...construction of berthing network in Yuzhno-Kurils settlement on the Kunashir Island ", - it is said in the document.

"Construction and reconstruction of fuel supply systems" on Iturup island is also mentioned along with the development of alternative power sources on Kuril islands, construction of fish factory on Prozrachniy stream (Kunashir), reconstruction of highway Malokurilskoe - Krabozavodskoe (Shikotan) and reconstruction of water-supply and water discharge systems in Yuzhno-Kurilsk settlement.

The amount of finance for Federal Target Program of Kuril Islands development was 1,36 billion rubles in 2010. According to Ministry of Regional Development's report, three port localities (in Severo-Kurilsk, on Shitokan Island and on Iturup Island) and power supply systems on Iturup Island have been put into operation using these funds.

"The objective of this program is to provide conditions for stable social and economic development of Kuril Islands with provision of budgetary self-efficiency and integration of its economic system with the economic systems of Russia and Asian-Pacific Region", - reported in the presentation. The program's duration is 2007-2015.

Funds for development of Kuril Islands are also provided from Federal Target Program "Economic and Social development of Far East and Transbaikal ".

The following islands form part of southern Kuril: Iturup, Kunashir, Shitokan and Khabomai Rocks (these islands report to the Sakhalin Region). Japan is claiming these territories with reference to Treaty of Shimoda signed in 1855. Tokyo has postulated the redemption of these islands for signing a treaty of peace with Russia after the Second World War, which has not been signed in the end. Moscow's position is based on the fact that Kuril Islands have become a part of USSR as a result of Second World War and thus there can be no doubt about Russian sovereignty over these territories.