NHK reported this morning that Foreign Minister Kono is making arrangements to visit Moscow from Nov. 23 to 26 if the Diet schedule permits, saying that this will be his first visit to Russia as foreign minister. The network said Kono will meet with his Russian counterpart Lavrov on Nov. 24, and convene a committee on Japan-Russia economic cooperation together with Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Shuvalov. During a meeting with the Russian foreign minister, Kono is planning to once again ask for Russia’s cooperation in maximizing pressure against North Korea, and confirm cooperation toward strict implementation of the UNSC resolutions. Kono is also hoping to confirm that the two nations will further promote talks on joint economic activities on the Northern Territories.