Japan government asks top trading houses to join Russia visit in May, Kyodo says

TOKYO, April 3 (Reuters) - The Japanese government has asked the country's top trading houses to join a delegation which plans to visit Russia in May, Kyodo news agency reported.

The government is anticipating that Japanese companies will fully resume business in Russia once its war with Ukraine is over, Kyodo said late on Thursday, citing sources.

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine started in 2022 and international diplomatic efforts have not yet led to a peace deal. Japan joined a wide range of western sanctions on Russia and largely stopped importing oil from there after 2022.

Japan's dependence on the Middle East, which supplies over 90% of its oil needs, is being challenged as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran stops shipments via the Strait of Hormuz.

Kyodo said that the government has requested participation from Mitsubishi 8058.T, Mitsui 8031.T, Itochu 8001.T, Sumitomo Corp 8053.T, Marubeni 8002.T, as well as from Mitsui O.S.K Lines 9104.T shipping company.