CHERNOMYRDIN IN JAPAN

Russian Duma’s deputy and former premier Viktor Chernomyrdin has arrived in Tokyo. His trip is sponsored by Japan’s Foreign Ministry which periodically invites influential figures who play major roles both in politics and economy of Russia, and also in bilateral relations. The Russian delegation also includes Ashot Khachiyan, head of the Intellekt foundation, ITAR-TASS reports. Mr. Chernomyrdin’s visit will last until Friday. He is due to hold a series of meetings with Japan’s leaders, in particular, with Japan’s premier Yoshiro Mori and, maybe, with Hiromu Nonaka, general secretary of Japan’s ruling Liberal-Democratic Party and other politicians. Besides, former Russian premier, who also chairs the inter-faction deputy association “Energiya Rossii” (Energy of Russia), is to meet with the leadership of Japan’s two major entrepreneural associations, the Federation of Economic Organizations (Keidanren) and the Society of Economic Allies (Keizai Doyukai). Also, a meeting is planned with the leadership of Japan’s Association for Promoting Trade with Russia, Central and East European Countries (ROTOBO).