Japanese Official Inspects Nuclear Sub Decommissioning In Russia

MILPLEX

Japanese Official Inspects Nuclear Sub Decommissioning In Russia
Vladivostok, Russia (AFP) Aug 23, 2004
A top Japanese official Monday launched a five-day visit to Russia's Far East during which he will check up on a Tokyo-funded decomissioning programme of idle Russian nuclear submarines.

Japan's Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Kazunori Tanaka is due to inspect facilities currently dismantling some of the 40 nuclear submarines decommissioned by Russia's Pacific Fleet as part of a Japan-funded programme to ensure nuclear safety in the region.

"The cooperation between Japan and the Far East has huge strategic and geopolitical importance not only for both countries but also for the blossoming and the stability of northeast Asia as a whole," Tanaka said Monday.

Japan has already poured 250 million dollars in the Star of Hope decommissioning programme, under which 40 nuclear submarines are due to be dismantled over nine years.

The scheme was signed one year ago during a visit by Japan's Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi in Russia's Far East.

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