NIIGATA — Ripples from Russia's booming economy have crossed the Sea of Japan, lapping at the shores of Niigata Prefecture and leading to strengthened ties.
Interaction between Niigata and the cities of Khabarovsk and Vladivostok is becoming more visible in many ways, including commerce and tourism.
For example, Niigata's popular Yuzawa ski resort is now drawing significant levels of tourists from the Russian Far East.