Mainichi and Nikkei reported on LDP Secretary General Nikai’s visit to Russia starting on Thursday. Nikai plans to deliver a speech at a private-sector forum on Japan-Russia relations in Moscow on Friday and hold talks with Prime Minister Medvedev, who leads the ruling party, United Russia. Pointing out that the 200-person retinue includes many people from business circles and local governments, Nikkei speculated that the delegation aims to promote economic cooperation and party exchanges.