Japan, Russia sign nuclear energy pact

Under the agreement, Russia, the world's biggest uranium enricher, will give Japan access to a stable supply of nuclear energy resources.

In return, Japan's major companies in the area such as Toshiba Corp. and Hitachi Ltd., will be able to sell technological know-how or equipment to Russia for updating its atomic energy industry.

The accord, signed on the occasion of a visit to Tokyo by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

Japan has concluded similar accords with six other countries, including the United States and China, as well as the European Atomic Energy Community. Russia has sealed similar deals with countries including Britain, China, India, France, Kazakhstan and Ukraine.

Earlier Tuesday, Putin called on Japanese business leaders to invest more in Russia's projects to develop energy resources in its far eastern area.

Japan and Russia also signed a pact to simplify customs procedures to spur relations in energy, trade and investment, and other economic areas.