Japan hopes Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's victory in the country's presidential election will help resolve the long-standing bilateral territorial dispute over Russian-held islands off Hokkaido, Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura said Monday.
Tokyo also aims to further boost cooperation with Russia as Putin has reportedly voiced a strong desire to settle the territorial row in a mutually acceptable manner, Fujimura said at a press conference.
Japan maintains its position regarding the disputed islands and will continue to discuss the issue with Russia in a "quiet atmosphere," Fujimura said.