Japan is an important partner to Russia and there are political and economic issues that demand attention, Sputnik News quoted Russian President Vladimir Putin as saying during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in the southern Russian resort city of Sochi on the Black Sea.

Abe is currently on a visit in Sochi at Putin's invitation. 

According to the press service, Putin and Abe are also expected to hold an in-depth exchange of views on topical international issues.

“Japan is not just a neighbor, but a partner, even more so an important partner for us in the Asia-Pacific Region. In regard to the well-known events in both the political and trade and economic fields, we do have issues that demand certain attention. Perhaps in the force of this situation, we need to pay particular attention to building our relations and maintaining them on a high level,” Putin said.

Source: MENA