"The Arctic issues, in terms of especially the climate change, those are the common issues between Japan and Russia," Shiraishi said.
In December, Russia and Japan signed up to a breakthrough agreement on climate change at a summit in Paris.
The pact between some 200 countries aims to cut greenhouse emissions and curb the climbing global temperatures, the main reason behind the melting Arctic ice cap and the rising sea levels.
Japan regards scientific approach to the Arctic and the use of advanced technologies as priorities of its Arctic policy, Kazuko Shiraishi said.
Japan outlined its Arctic strategy in October 2015. The document set out seven key issues that need to be addressed in order to make Japan an important player in the region.
"I can answer that the priority is science and technology. We want to fully use that," Shiraishi underscored.
The seven pillars of the island nation’s strategy for the Arctic are global environment issues, indigenous peoples of the Arctic, science and technology, ensuring rule of law and international cooperation, the Arctic Sea Route, natural resources development, and national security.
