Tottori Prefecture, Primorye mark 20 years of friendly relations.

VLADIVOSTOK, September 8 (Itar-Tass) - A commemorative slab on the
occasion of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of friendly
relations between Japan's Tottori Prefecture and Russia's Primorsky
(maritime) Territory (PT) has been unveiled here on Thursday. The token
has been installed in the grounds of a downtown public garden here. The
text of the Agreement on the establishment of friendly relations between
PT and Tottori is carved on the slab in Russian and Japanese.
Tottori Governor Hirai Shinji, speaking at the unveiling ceremony,
said the Sea of Japan (East Sea) "is no longer viewed as a wall dividing
the two peoples. On the contrary, rather, it renders economic and cultural
cooperation closer".
Yevgeny Markin, director of the PT department for international
cooperation and tourism, said representatives of the Japanese Prefecture
regularly participate in many an event in the city, such as a Pacific
Economic Congress, international exhibitions, and city festivities. The
commemorative slab "may become a symbol of our good neighbourhood," Markin
emphasized.
Tottori Prefecture is situated in the western part of Honshu island.
Tottori is notable for various fish, marine, and farm products, and is
reckoned Japan's "fruit capital".
In July 2009, a ferry service linked Tottori and PT. An up-to-date
ferry vessel capable of carrying 530 passengers has been plying between
Sakaiminato (Tottori Prefecture), Tonghae (South Korean province of
Kangwon-do), and Vladivostok. More than 80 000 Russian and Japanese people
have already enjoyed the vessel's services.
Vegetables and fruit from Tottori are on sale in shops here. The
cityfolk have already appreciated the taste of Japanese melons,
water-melons, and apples. On Thursday the Japanese delegation holds a pear
tasting ceremony.
A Tottori trading center began to function in Vladivostok last year.
The first festival of culture was a success here in March 2010.