Russia For Constructive Cooperation With New Japan Cabinet

The Russian Foreign Ministry is hopeful to preserve the course of relations of partnership Moscow and Tokyo have been maintaining in the last years, reads the statement the Ministry's information and press department issued on the occasion of the formation of the new Cabinet of Japan headed by Junichiro Koizumi. "Russia is pleased with important results achieved by the two countries, particularly, the agreements concluded during Russian President Vladimir Putin's official visit to Japan in September, 2000 and the Russian-Japanese summit in Irkutsk, Eastern Siberia, in March, 2001", the document reads. The Russian Foreign Ministry pointed to a great contribution to the development of bilateral relations, made by former Japanese Premier Yoshiro Mori, and expressed satisfaction with close contacts with members of his Cabinet. Moscow expects "the relations with Junichiro Koizumi's Cabinet to be similarly constructive", according to the statement. Makiko Tanaka, the daughter of former Japanese Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka, was appointed Foreign Minister on Thursday morning. Ken Nakatani, a professional politician, was appointed head of the Defence Ministry according the Prime Minister's decision. Takeo Hiranuma became head of the Japanese Economy and Industry Ministry. Official reports say, Junichiro Koizumi has completely formed his Cabinet by now.