Russia's Air Force chief begins visit to Tokyo to boost relations

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15/6 Tass 210

MOSCOW, June 15 (Itar-Tass) - The commander-in-chief of Russia's Air
Force, Alexander Zelin, begins his visit to Japan on Tuesday to boost
bilateral relations with Japan's military aviation, Defence Ministry
spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Vladimir Drik told Itar-Tass on Tuesday.
"The visit takes place at the invitation of Japan's Air Self-Defense
Force chief of staff," he said.
"During a four-day visit the Russian Air Force delegation will visit
the air fields of Hakuri and Matsushima and hold talks with top officials
of Japan's Air Self-Defense Force," Drik said.
The agreement on prevention of incidents at sea and in the air signed
by Russia and Japan back in 1993 laid the groundwork for the two
countries' exchange of opinion in the military sector.
According to the headquarters of Japan's Air Self-Defense Force, over
the past five years activity of Russia's military aviation increased near
the Japanese borders "through multiple military exercises and data
collection."
This year Japan's fighters accompanied Russia's long-range aviation
planes patrolling the airspace over the neutral waters.

-0-isk/gor