Forum to discuss future of Russian-Japanese cooperation

IRKUTSK, October 3 (Itar-Tass) -- The 4th Russian-Japanese forum will
open in Irkutsk on Saturday to discuss the future of bilateral cooperation
during globalisation.
The forum will be held with the support of the Russian and Japanese
foreign ministries. Russia's Institute of Contemporary Development and the
Japan Foundation will act as the coordinators.
The forum will work in the following sections: The future of
Russian-Japanese relations in the Asia-Pacific Region and the world as
whole; the role of Japan and Russia in the global economy after the world
financial crisis; Russia and Japan: re-evaluation of mutual understanding
and contribution of the two countries to the development of culture,
technology and sport. The agenda also includes the discussion of the
development of the twin-city relationship between Irkutsk and the Ishikawa
Prefecture, the creation of joint ventures, and the attraction of
investments.
The Irkutsk region hold the lead among other Russian regions in terms
of trade turnover with Japan. In 2008, its export had reached one billion
U.S. dollars. The region exports aluminium, ferrous metals and cellulose
in exchange for equipment and vehicles.