All national papers reported that the Fisheries Agency announced on Monday that Japan and Russia began virtually holding their annual talks on fishing quotas for salmon and trout within Japan’s EEZ near Hokkaido. Mainichi said that although it is unusual for such talks to be held at a time when strong sanctions are being imposed on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, the GOJ decided it would be important to hold the talks to secure Japan’s interests. The daily noted, however, that the talks may run into difficulties as it remains to be seen how Russia will respond while it is under sanction.