The fact that Japanese industrial leaders are taking ever-bolder steps to expand their business activities in Russia is a sign that Japanese business circles feel confident about the possibilities and potential of the Russian economy, President Vladimir Putin said at a ceremony laying the first stone of a car plant that Toyota Motor Corporation will build in the Leningrad Region village of Shushary.
There is immense potential for Russian-Japanese business cooperation, especially in investment, trade, innovative technology, the energy sector and joint economic development of Siberia and the Far East.
Mr Putin wished Toyota continued success on the Russian market and said he hoped that other recognised Japanese economic leaders would follow the carmaker’s example.