President Ts.Elbegdorj yesterday told a joint session of the two chambers of  the Japanese Parliament  that the relationship between the two countries has reached a new stage, opening up possibilities of further collaboration. Both countrues stand to benefit  if Mongolian mineral resources are exploited with the use of Japanese technology.

The President felt the time has come to extend bilateral ties, so far restricted mainly to the political level and aid agreements, to economic spheres. There is a groundswell of popular support for this as there are 70 Mongolia-related  associations and NGOs in Japan while their number is 30 in Mongolia.

A 1912 note from the Mongolian Emperor Bogd Khan to the Japanese Emperor proposiong establishment of diplomatic relations and seeking recognition of Mongolia’s independence could not reach its destintion because of disturbances in China. Elbegdorj presented a copy of the note to the Parliament Speaker.
Earlier, the President  and his wife, Kh.Bolormaa, called on Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko. The visit concluded with a banquet in the visitors’ honor.