The delegation of the Embassy of Japan in Russia, headed by Mr. Aiki Toshihiro, the Minister Plenipotentiary of the Embassy of Japan in Russia, arrived in Krasnoyarsk to participate in the Japanese Film Festival, which started on October 31.

On the eve of the festival opening ceremony, the Deputy Head of Mayor's Department Vadim Falaleev and the Head of Main Department of Culture Kostukov Sergei met with delegates in the city administration building. The meeting participants discussed both the already existing interstate relations between Russia and Japan, and the prospects for strengthening ties between various Japanese cities and Krasnoyarsk in the fields of culture, sports, education, etc.

Vadim Falaleev praised the active cooperation between Krasnoyarsk universities, such as Siberian Federal University or the Medical University and different Japanese institutes in student exchange programmes, and expressed hope for the opportunity to arise to follow the example, starting the development of unique cooperation projects between Krasnoyarsk Region, its capital and Japan. In particular, a possibility of partnership in the field of librarianship was proposed, then a variety of charity projects – for instance, the delegates were presented with a charity festival «Children to children», which uses creative works by children from cities around the world as means of funding those kids who are in need.

The parties also discussed the idea of forming an Agreement between the cities of Krasnoyarsk and Nagoya on trade, economic and cultural cooperation, as well as the possibility of making direct flights from Krasnoyarsk to Nagoya possible.

The Japanese side supported the initiative for the potential development of ties in the aforementioned areas, emphasizing that the current Japanese Film Festival will play a significant role in it. In Russia, as part of the outgoing Year of Japan in Russia, Mr. Toshihiro noted, a large number of successful events dedicated to Japan created a momentum that could become a sustainable platform for such bilateral cooperation.