The Russian Far East: Yes, It is Also East Asia!

Russia consists of three vast regions: West Siberian, East Siberian, and Far Eastern. The latter is also known as the Russian Far East (RFE). This chapter focuses on the RFE. The region is located in close proximity to the major regional economic powers, has deepening relations with them, and is becoming a noticeable economic player in Asia, especially in northeast Asia. With its remarkably rich natural resources—oil and natural gas, metallic ores, timber, and marine products—the RFE has the potential to become one of the leading suppliers of fuel and raw materials for Japan and other East Asian countries. Ever since Russia's market reforms were initiated, the RFE has begun to develop, through trial and error, a new and much deeper economic relationship with East Asia, especially with the three major northeastern economies of China, Japan, and South Korea.