Russian Railways CEO Yakunin discusses prospects of rail communication between Russia and Japan with Japanese PM

TOKYO, July 7. /TASS/. The Head of Russian Railways Vladimir Yakunin discussed the prospects of creating a rail communication between Russia and Japan with the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Yakunin said Tuesday at the 9th World Congress on High Speed Rail in Tokyo. "Today I have had a brief meeting with the Prime Minister. During that meeting, I talked about this project as a futuristic project that will connect the Russia to Japan through Russia's island of Sakhalin in the Far East and Japan's Hokkaido. And I sincerely believe that this is indeed the project of the future, and you will be able to drive from Moscow to Hokkaido," Yakunin said. However, he said it is premature to talk about the cost and timing of this project as of right now. The 9th World Congress on High Speed Rail kicks off July 7 in Tokyo. Over 1,000 representatives of international companies in the railway sector are attending. Vladimir Yakunin is one of the chairmen of the congress and will give a speech at the opening. Prior to his trip Yakunin already spoke about the railway connection between the two countries. "I will talk about the possibility of a railway connection between Russia and Japan if I have the chance. This is a well-known topic about passing through the Nevelskoy Strait and further to Hokkaido," Yakunin said. Moreover, he noted the prospects of cooperation with Japan in creating the high-speed railroad Moscow-Kazan. Read more