Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 14 July (BelTA) - The economic relations between Belarus and Japan are below the desired level, but the potential is great, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Russia and concurrently to Belarus Chikahito Harada said in the run-up to the Belarusian-Japanese business meeting, BelTA has learned.

I think the economic relations between Japan and Belarus have great potential. The current status of these relations is below the desired level. I hope this economic mission will help raise this level, said Chikahito Harada.

Belarus and Japan maintain long-standing relations. "After the earthquake in 2011 and subsequent accident at the nuclear power plant Fukushima the Belarusian side provided great assistance to our country. Fairly close contacts have been recently developing in politics and in various economic areas," said the Ambassador.

The business meeting in Minsk has brought together the executives of about 20 leading Japanese companies, including Mitsubishi Motors Russia, Hitachi Construction Machinery, Sojitz, and Panasonic Russia.