BEIJING, November 8. /TASS/. Japan is looking for options to develop investments and trade with Russia despite of the sanctions, Russia’s Minister of Economic Development Alexey Ulyukayev said following a meeting with Japan’s Minister of Trade and Industry Yoichi Miyazawa in the framework of APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation) on Saturday.

“In my opinion, the Japanese side follows a rather pragmatic approach. For political reasons they cannot distance themselves from the sanctions regime, which was initiated first of all by the U.S., but still without breaching it formally, (they are trying) to find ways for development of trade and investments,” the Russian minister said.

Russia and Japan agreed the sanctions affected the bilateral relations, including the trade turnover, which in 2013 reached its historic maximum level, and this year demonstrates a negative dynamics.

“Russia explains it by a direct influence of the sanctions,” the Russian minister said.

“I have drawn attention of my Japanese counterpart to the fact that we should be looking for solutions, for ways to overcome the situation, which is of no benefit to either party,” he said.

The minister said it was his first meeting with the recently appointed Japanese minister.

“It seemed very productive to me. The minister has supported my idea to organise a working group on investments and confirmed Russia and Japan have not terminated the relations in investments.”

A Russian-Japanese forum may take place next March, and several more platforms will be organised as well, he added.