(Provisional Translation)

Economic Mission Dispatched to Russian Federation Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's Letter to President Putin (Outline)

June 8, 2001


On the eve of June 8 (Japan time), Takashi Imai, Chairman of the Japan Federation of Economic Organizations (Keidanren), who headed the economic mission dispatched by the Japanese Government to the Russian Federation, paid a courtesy call on President Vladimir Putin. Mr. Imai handed President Putin a personal letter from Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

The outline of the letter is as follows:

  1. Prime Minister Koizumi conveyed his gratitude to President Putin and the Russian side for their consideration in receiving the economic mission to Russia.

  2. In recent years, Japan-Russia relations have been steadily progressing through close dialogues between the leaders of the two countries. The Government of Japan will make all the possible efforts to maintain this movement to develop Japan-Russia relations as a whole and, in this context, to continue to promote economic relations.

  3. Almost 200 members are participating in this mission, which clearly demonstrates Japanese economic society's high interest in Russia. The decision to dispatch a mission by the Government of Japan to Russia also indicates the high importance placed on the mission.

  4. It is expected that after the members of the mission look at ongoing changes in Russia directly, the business circles of both countries will deal with business from new angles, thereby boosting bilateral economic relations and further developing the Japan-Russia relations as a whole.

  5. I firmly believe that the points of issue frankly raised by Mr. Imai with President Putin regarding the investment environment in Russia will be sincerely addressed

  6. Under a basic stance of, "Embracing difficulties ahead, overcoming barriers of vested interests and freeing ourselves of past limitations," I am continuing to "tackle structural reforms leaving no sacred areas," and I can therefore sympathize with you (President Putin) as you strive to create a new Russia, demonstrate strong leadership and tackle difficult reform issues.