Asahi wrote that the GOJ is making final arrangements for sending a group of officials from the government and private sector to the Northern Territories from May 30 through June 4 to study how Japan and Russia should carry out joint economic activities on the islands in the future. The delegation, led by Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Eiichi Hasegawa, will include several dozen people from MOFA, the governments of Hokkaido and its municipalities, and the fisheries, medical, and tourist industries.