MOSCOW, October 21. /TASS/. Despite their government’s policy, Japanese companies are not pulling out of Russian gas projects and are awaiting an opportunity to discuss ways to expand their presence, Alexander Shokhin, head of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP) and Presidential Commissioner for Entrepreneurs' Rights, told TASS in an interview.

"Japan was deeply offended by Vladimir Vladimirovich [Putin] visiting the Kuril Islands. Yet, on the other hand, they have 'suspected' since 1945 that the Kuril Islands do not belong to them. I have visited Tokyo several times as part of the Russian president’s delegation, and there were always people outside the hotel calling for the return of the so-called Northern Territories. It is a recurring topic," Shokhin said.

According to him, Japan continues to take a pragmatic approach and is in no rush to demand that its companies immediately cut off all cooperation with Russia.

"We see that Japanese companies are not withdrawing from gas projects in Russia. Pragmatism is clearly at work, and the government is not pressing Japanese companies to leave. Moreover, these companies are waiting for at least a "yellow light" to start discussing possibilities for expanding their presence," Shokhin noted.