NAGATO /JAPAN/, December 15./TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed hope his two-day visit to Japan will be productive. At talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the Russian leader noted that they are meeting on a regular basis.

"Owing to your efforts, we see a certain change coming in the development of the Russian-Japanese relations. My colleagues and I expect that our meetings today and tomorrow will make substantial contribution to the development of Russian-Japanese ties," Putin said at the start of the talks.