New Japanese PM to build partnership relations with RF  

    TOKYO, September 13 (Itar-Tass) -- New Japanese Prime Minister
Yeshihito Noda intends to build relation with Russia as with a partner in
the Asia-Pacific region and simultaneously actively solve the issue of
Southern Kuriles. He said this during his first programme speech in the
parliament after his election to the post of prime minister on Tuesday.
    "I will actively solve with Russia the problem of northern territories
(thus Tokyo calls Southern Kuriles - - ITAR-TASS), the biggest unsolved
issue between our countries, and simultaneously exert efforts to build
relations with it which partners in the Asia-Pacific region need."
    This statement corresponds as a whole to the stance which was earlier
voiced by former prime ministers. At the same time, an accent is made in
the statement of 54-year-old Noda exactly on relations with Russia and
Japan as partners in the region.