"I think the search for dialogue opportunities will continue at the highest level. As for the visit of [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin to Japan, an agreement has already been reached and we continue to make efforts to carry it out in the most appropriate time," Kishida stated at a press conference.
At the same time, he refuted information circulated by The Mainichi Shimbun newspaper that speculated about the possibility of the Russian leader visiting the country in July 2016, following elections to the Japanese upper house of parliament.
Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe recently met on the sidelines of the UN climate talks in Paris. According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the sides discussed Putin anticipated visit to the Japanese capital. Peskov added that it is likely that Abe would visit Russia prior to the Russian leader visiting Japan.
In June, Abe confirmed that Putin was welcome to visit Japan at a time convenient for both sides during a phone conversation with the Russian leader.
