MYTISHCHI DISTRICT (Moscow Region), November 25 (RIA Novosti) - Trade between Japan and Russia could exceed $30 billion in 2008, the Japanese ambassador to Russia said on Tuesday.

"Bilateral trade is constantly growing. It could exceed $30 billion this year," Yasuo Saito said at the opening of a Toyota office and parts warehouse in the Moscow Region.

The diplomat said Japanese carmakers including Toyota, which opened a plant near St. Petersburg in 2007, had made a large contribution to bilateral trade.

Investment in the new Toyota facility outside Moscow exceeded $120 million. The company sold 157,000 cars in Russia in 2007, and plans to sell 30% more in 2008.

Last year, the two countries reported bilateral trade of $20 billion, up 64% against 2006.