Japan has told Russia it wants to take part in the development of oil fields in eastern Siberia through funding and other means, diplomatic sources said Wednesday.
Takeo Hiranuma, minister of economy, trade and industry, sent letters spelling out Japan's position to Russian Energy Minister Igor Yusufov and German Gref, the economic development and trade minister, in December, the sources said.
A team led by officials of Japan National Oil Corp. is discussing cooperation in the development plans with the two Russian ministries and Russian oil companies, they said.
According to the sources, Russia welcomes Japan's willingness to cooperate in developing the eastern Siberian oil fields because there are concerns that western Siberia, which accounts for 70 percent of its oil output, has depleted reserves and aging equipment.