Russian Vice-Premier Sergei Naryshkin has discussed the possibility of Japan's joining in the building of an oil pipeline to the Pacific Ocean, Itar-Tass reports. He told journalists here on Tuesday about this at the close of his meeting earlier in the day with Akira Amari, Japanese Minister of Economics, Trade, and Industry.
Naryshkin said, "In Japan, both the political leadership and private companies show great interest in our programmes for the development of the Far East and Eastern Siberia." He said Minister Amari and he had discussed such matters as the construction of an oil pipeline from Eastern Siberia to the Pacific Ocean coast, the development of the Elginsky coalfield, and Sakhalin oil and gas projects, including prospects for the transportation of liquefied natural gas to Japan.