TOKYO, Jan. 18 - President Viktor Yanukovych and Speaker of the Japanese House of Representatives Takahiro Yokomichi have discussed the prospects for launching direct flights between Ukraine and Japan, the press service of the Ukrainian president reported on Tuesday.

In order to improve contacts between Ukraine and Japan, the air carriers of the two countries agreed to conduct this summer 11 direct charter flights between Tokyo and Kiev, and this step will facilitate the launching of regular direct flights, the press service said.