Russia expects to sign nuclear pact with Japan

Russia is seeking Japanese investment in a list of some 200 projects, including energy proposals. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin told media he expects to sign a nuclear power pact with Japan during his visit here this week.Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has told Japanese media his country expects to sign a nuclear power pact with Japan during his visit here this week, reports said Sunday.In an interview with Japanese media in Moscow, Putin said he would also present a list of economic cooperation projects during his three-day visit beginning on Monday.Various government-level agreements will be signed between Tokyo and Moscow as well as between private entities during his visit, he said, adding that a nuclear cooperation pact is also "expected to be signed". Japan and Russia are in the final phase of talks over a pact to promote the non-military use of nuclear power, such as for electricity generation.The pact will pave the way for Tokyo to entrust Moscow with uranium enrichment and allow Japan to export nuclear power plant technology to Russia, Kyodo News said.Calling Japan an "important partner in promoting exchanges based on cutting-edge technologies," Putin said other potential projects would embrace sectors such as automobiles, energy, aerospace, communications, chemicals and steel, according to the Nikkei business daily.