TOKYO – The Foreign Ministry launched a new unit under its Russian Division on Friday to bolster economic ties following growing momentum in the two countries’ private and public sectors to expand economic exchanges.
The new section will mainly handle promotion of bilateral economic ties and Japan’s technical assistance to Russia, such as joint exploration of the possibility of building a liquefied gas production facility in Vladivostok and construction of transportation and energy infrastructure in the city in line with a bilateral agreement in February.
The existing Russian Division will continue to manage economic cooperation projects directly related to the four disputed islands off Hokkaido, held by Russia and claimed by Japan, a ministry official said.