*********** 010994A.ENG *********** Countries: Japan, Russia From: Foreign Language Broadcast Information Service FBIS-EAS-93-198 15 October 1993 p. 4 KEYWORDS: Japan, Russia, Siberia, oil drilling +++++ As a result of Boris Yelsin's visit to Tokyo in the Fall, a deal has been announced for Japan's Mitsui Co. to sell oil drilling equipment to the Russian Lukoil, a new quasi private Russian oil company for use in the Siberian fields. Mitusi is involved in leases in the off-shore Siberian fields. This is a positive sign that Japan will become more involved in the development of the Siberian oil and gas resources, which they certainly need to shake off their dependance from Middle-East sources. Until recently Japan, due to the dispute over the southern Kuril Islands, has avoid much involvement in the development of the rich Siberian resources so close to Japan. This has lead the field wide open for US, European, and even Chinese investment in the region. ************** END Msg. A.ENG **************