"The situation is changing, but to interrupt dialogue in foreign trade and economic cooperation is impossible. Even under sanctions the Russian-Japanese relations are developing," Manturov told the Yomiuri Shimbun daily.
Ties between two countries deteriorated after Tokyo announced support for certain Western economic sanctions against Russia imposed in 2014 over Moscow's alleged interference in the eastern Ukrainian conflict. Russia has resolutely denied the accusations.
"Japanese companies invest $12 billion in the Russian economy, they are active in fields including mining and the automobile industry," Manturov added.
The Russian minister is due in Tokyo on February 29 for the opening of the two-day "Trade and Industrial Dialogue Russia-Japan" business mission.
