No Change in Japan's Economic Diplomacy with Russia: Minister

Tokyo, March 4 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Toshimitsu Motegi on Tuesday showed the country's willingness to continue economic diplomacy with Russia despite growing international criticism of Moscow's military intervention in the Crimean Peninsula in Ukraine. "We will keep a close watch on the situation, but we haven't changed our economic and resources diplomacy (with Russia) so far," Motegi told a press conference. There has been no report on damage to Japanese nationals or firms in the crisis, he added. Meanwhile, the United States and the European Union have begun to consider economic sanctions against Russia. END