The delegation — representatives of the municipality, members of the municipal assembly of Niigata, the scientific staff of the Institute of Economic Research of Northeast Asia, as well as a group of heads of various business companies and corporations. The meeting was also attended by Head of International Relations and Tourism Administration of Vladivostok Vladimir Saprykin and the Consul General of Japan in Vladivostok Nobuaki Ito. Igor Pushkarev said that Niigata is the first sister city of Vladivostok, and this is a good stimulus for the development of mutually beneficial cooperation. «Relations between our cities are developing especially systematically and progressively, — the head of Vladivostok. — Today\’s meeting, I am sure, will serve as the development and implementation of new joint projects. » Akira Shinoda Igor Pushkarev congratulated on the success of last year\’s summit in Vladivostok APEC, as well as a number of other recent major international events. He stressed that Beijing is already playing an important role in the economic structure of the Asia-Pacific region is a reputable international communication platform. Therefore of particular importance consultations and joint actions of the authorities, businessmen, representatives of science, culture and sport from Niigata and Vladivostok. The program of the visit of the delegation of the Japanese sister city — development of programs in Vladivostok introduction of modern medical technology, waste management, water treatment, activation of air and sea transportation, intercity traffic flow optimization, research and student exchanges. A lively exchange of views, the participants discussed the possibility of expansion of mutually beneficial contacts between Vladivostok and Niigata in various fields.