Russian authorities notified Japan of the plan Wednesday and a vessel will be sent to pick up the six crew members at sea Thursday, the ministry said in a statement.
On Dec. 13, the Russian border guard detained four boats carrying 11 people off the northern coast of Kunashiri Island, one of four island groups claimed by both countries. A captain of one of the ships was released last week because of a chronic medical problem.
Japan will continue to seek the return of the remaining four fishermen, the ministry said.
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