Putin: Russia eyes intensifying cooperation with Japan

Russia was willing to further cooperation with Japan in various spheres, President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday in a congratulatory message to Shinzo Abe on his election as Japan's prime minister. In the message, Putin said Russia sought to continue working with Japan to promote their political, trade, scientific and people-to-people cooperation for the sake of stability and security in the Asia-Pacific region and across the world. Abe, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, was elected prime minister in a special session of the Diet, or parliament, on Wednesday. The Russian president said last week Moscow received a signal from Japan on concluding a peace treaty and looked forward to a constructive dialogue with Tokyo. "We have noticed the signal from Tokyo, from the party, which had returned to the power, that the party leaders are for a peace treaty," Putin told reporters at his annual press conference, adding "This is a very important signal, and we appreciate it."