Japan seeks to extend an olive branch—will Russia accept? According to Japan's Kyodo News, on April 2, the Japanese government plans to dispatch an economic delegation to Russia to address the practical restoration of business operations by Japanese firms following the end of the war in Ukraine.
At least five major trading companies—including Mitsubishi Corporation and Mitsui & Co.—as well as NYK Line have submitted applications. The Japanese side expects the meeting to take place in May.
Owing to U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, energy imports from the Middle East have stalled, making the purchase of Russian crude oil one of the agenda items for this visit.
Given Western economic sanctions imposed during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the pros and cons of this plan may still be questioned. A senior executive at a trading company stated: "There is still no ceasefire agreement in place; visiting Russia could invite criticism both domestically and internationally."
Mitsubishi Corporation and Mitsui & Co. are involved in the Sakhalin-2 oil and gas development project in Russia’s Far East, led by Gazprom, Russia’s state-owned gas giant, which is under U.S. sanctions. However, Japan has been permitted to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia.
NYK Line owns an icebreaking oil tanker capable of transporting Russian gas through icy waters.
The current chairman of NYK Line, Tsuyoshi Hashimoto, is also the chairperson of the Economic Committee of Japan-Russia Relations within Keidanren (Japan Business Federation).
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1861371220697290/
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