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On the Russian side, the meeting was also attended by Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov.

Shinzo Abe was assassinated on July 8, 2022.

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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Ms Abe,

I am very pleased to see you.

I know and remember that you always accompanied your husband during his visits to Russia. I also recall our meeting, which I believe took place in 2019.

Your husband contributed greatly to the development of Russian-Japanese relations. I had very warm personal relations with him. I also remember my visits to Japan – at his invitation.

I saw that he sincerely sought the full restoration of Russian-Japanese cooperation and did much to achieve this. In many ways, he continued his family’s tradition, as his father held the same stance when he was Japan’s Foreign Minister, I believe, in the 1980s.

We are very grateful to him for his stance. We have always respected his work in this area, and we remember his contribution to the development of Russian-Japanese cooperation.

His life was tragically cut short by a terrorist attack. But the memory of him, his activities, and his work is carefully preserved here in Russia.

I am very glad to see you. Welcome.

Akie Abe (retranslated): I am deeply grateful that you found time in your extremely busy schedule to meet with me.

As you rightly said, I often accompanied my husband on his trips to Russia. Now that I have returned, I have been overwhelmed by a strong sense of nostalgia.

You noted correctly that my husband’s father, Shintaro Abe, as Foreign Minister, promoted the development of relations with your country, and my husband sought to continue these traditions, making every effort to do so.

Indeed, you met with Mr Abe, my husband, on numerous occasions: if counted, it amounts to 27 times. This alone testifies to the contribution he endeavoured to make to bilateral relations.

I would like to note that you visited Yamaguchi Prefecture, his native region – very few, if any, other top leaders of foreign states have visited it. The fact that he hosted you there demonstrates his particularly sincere attitude towards your country.

Residents of Yamaguchi Prefecture still recall this warmly; for them, it remains a great source of pride that you visited their prefecture and sampled local attractions including sake. This remains precious to them and is still on everyone’s lips.

But today, my principal objective in this conversation is to express sincere gratitude that you so actively developed dialogue with my husband and pursued stronger relations between our countries.

I might add that even after the onset of the challenging situation concerning Ukraine, my husband hoped to meet with you. Regrettably, circumstances prevented further meetings: his life was cut short. He always spoke of continuing this process as his legacy – the endeavour he sought to expand.

I am not a politician and do not wish to address political matters. I will only say that Russia is a very important neighbour for Japan. It would bring me happiness if cultural exchanges and human contacts could develop between our nations even during this difficult period.

Vladimir Putin: Ms Abe,

I remember the trip you just mentioned to your husband’s home region. It was an exceptionally warm, almost familial reception – deeply friendly.

I wish to say: I am certain that your husband’s death shocked everyone who knew him. He was, of course, a statesman and – where necessary – a resolute, steadfast person. At the same time, he was profoundly warm-hearted and gentle where possible – and very sincere.

Indeed, we collaborated extensively. It was on his initiative that a plan of cooperation in various areas was created: there is the economy, industry, healthcare, culture – an entire framework for our joint work.

I know his dream – and he pursued it earnestly – was concluding a peace treaty between our nations. We made significant progress together on this path. The current situation differs; we will not address that aspect today.

But I would like to convey this, Ms Abe: You will always be a welcome guest in our country, in Russia. We are always pleased to see you.

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