TOKYO, May 5 (RIA Novosti) - Japan is to allocate
Russia an extra 4 billion yen ($40 million) to dismantle
decommissioned Russian nuclear submarines in the Far East,
Japanese media reported on Tuesday.
This decision is due to be announced by Japanese Prime
Minister Taro Aso during Russian Prime Minister Vladimir
Putin's visit to Japan on May 12, Kyodo said, citing Japanese
officials.
Japan earlier allocated 2 billion yen ($20 million)
towards dismantling some 70 nuclear submarines. The additional
funding is aimed at highlighting the East Asian country's
commitment to the nuclear non-proliferation process and
preventing potential environmental damage from abandoned
nuclear submarines.
Kyodo said that the project, involving some 20 countries,
is expected to be completed in the spring of 2010. The funding
is expected to be spent on cranes and the construction of
mini-docks in Russia's Pacific port city of Vladivostok.
Kyodo also said that Japan may contribute funds for the
construction of facilities to store spent nuclear fuel.
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