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The association is headed by former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, who is also co-chairman of the Russian-Japanese Council of Wise Men.

Mr Putin praised the work done by the Russian-Japanese Council of Wise Men and noted the personal services of Mr Mori, who has helped to find acceptable solutions to existing problems and define new forms of cooperation between Russia and Japan.

Mr Mori called for the development of closer regional ties between the two countries, proposing in particular the creation of a special cooperation zone between the Japanese city of Wakkanai and the port of Korsakov on Sakhalin Island.