In July of this year, an LDP delegation traveled to Russia to meet for the first time with members of the Unity and Fatherland Party and conduct a seminar on "politics through political parties." In an effort to build upon this earlier exchange, LDP House of Representatives Member Harada Yoshiaki made a brief visit to Russia during a return trip from Europe to meet on September 8th through the 10th with his Russian counterparts.
  During his visit, Representative Harada met with Mr. Konstantin Kosachev, the Deputy Director of the Unity and Fatherland Party (and a member of the Russian Federal Assembly), Mr. Pavel Vladislavlev, the head of the Russian delegation that met with LDP members in July (and a member of the Russian Federal Assembly and former Minister of Education), and others for talks on topics of mutual interest. This meaningful dialog was focused primarily on the Northern Territories and other diplomatic issues between Japan and Russia.
  These meetings provided another opportunity to benefit from and strengthen the ties that are being established between the LDP and prominent individuals and groups in Russian politics. Active exchanges such as these involving fellow parliamentarians in Japan and Russia will undoubtedly improve bi-lateral relations between both the governments and the political parties of our two countries.