Mr Putin said he hoped that Russia and Japan would organise fitting celebrations in 2006 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between the Soviet Union and Japan, and that the upcoming events would create a positive atmosphere for further developing Russian-Japanese relations.
A whole series of cultural events that will take place over the course of the year is planned to mark the anniversary.
Mr Putin also thanked the Japanese people and the country’s leadership for the invitation to visit Tokyo.
See also
Official Visit to Japan
November 20 − 22, 2005