Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged to continue dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin, taking a softer line with Moscow than some Western powers after the shooting down of a passenger jet over Ukraine.
Abe has worked to improve Japan's relations with resource-rich Russia, a centerpiece of his foreign policy.
"Russia should commit constructively to various international issues as a responsible state. To help that I will continue dialogue with President Putin," Abe said in a speech carried by Japanese media.