Russia is inviting foreign partners to help it develop fisheries around the disputed islands off Hokkaido and says it will give Tokyo priority, but if it doesn't jump at the chance, other investors will.
Yuri Trutnev, President Vladimir Putin's special envoy for Russia's Far Eastern region, said the offer is part of a broader plan to develop a huge territory rich in resources but poorly developed and lacking infrastructure from roads and labor to communications.
A farming project with China was also proposed.