Japan, Russia Agree to Promote Tourism, Work to Ease Visa Regime

Tokyo and Moscow have agreed to develop tourism, bilateral youth and sports exchanges and work on easing the visa regime between the two countries, Kyodo reported on Saturday following the meeting of Russian Deputy Economic Development Minister Stanislav Voskresensky and Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshige Seko.

TOKYO (Sputnik) — According to the news agency, the Japan National Tourism Organization will open an office in Moscow in accordance with the plan. In 2017, the two countries will also begin work on the expansion of exchanges between universities, while ahead of the FIFA 2018 World Cup in Russia they will develop sports exchanges.

The sides also considered the issue of closer cooperation in the field of medicine and medical research, thus, in 2016 the parties may further discuss joint work in pediatrics, while in 2017 they could begin to cooperate in the field of medical services for the elderly.

Later on Saturday, Japanese Prime Minsiter Shinzo Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to hold a meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Peru to discuss the preparations for Putin’s forthcoming visit to Japan on December 15-16.