Japan-Russia Relations
Japan-Russia Telephone Talks
On January 22, commencing at 6:00 p.m. for approximately 40 minutes, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, held telephone talks with Mr. Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, President of the Russian Federation. The overview of the talks is as follows.
1. Prime Minister Abe explained that the recent nuclear test by North Korea constitutes a grave threat to the security of the region and the international community, and to the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, and is absolutely unacceptable. The two leaders shared the view that Japan and Russia will coordinate their responses to North Korea’s nuclear test, including at the United Nations.
2. In addition, the two leaders also exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East, including Syria, and the situation in the Ukraine.
3. In regard to Japan-Russia relations, the two leaders shared the view that coordination will take place to bring about an unofficial visit to Russia by Prime Minister Abe at an appropriate time before President Putin visits Japan. It was confirmed that a Japan-Russia Vice-Ministerial-level Meeting would be held in Tokyo in February in order to prepare for the leaders’ dialogue. In addition, Prime Minister Abe explained that he appointed Mr. Chikahito Harada as Representative of the Government of Japan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, for the Japan-Russia Relations on January 22.