It is clear that the international community has no other universal organisation of the likes of the United Nations.

I assure you that interest in Japanese culture in Russia is just as strong as interest in Russian culture in Japan.

This is not only a matter of relations between Russia and the United States. In my view, any restrictions in the economic sphere that are dictated by considerations of political expediency are extremely harmful for the world economy as a whole. This destroys unity and the rules of the game.

Back in 1956, we signed a treaty and surprisingly it was ratified both by the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union and the Japanese Parliament. But then Japan refused to implement it and after that the Soviet Union also, so to say, nullified all the agreements reached within the framework of the treaty.

We act in a pragmatic and careful manner. We reduce spending on budget items that do not constitute a priority.

Russia should be an effective and competitive state with a sustainable economy, developed social and political system flexible to changes domestically and globally.

I have been to Tokyo and several other cities, but I have never been to Yamaguchi Prefecture. I wonder what it is like, what interesting things it has to offer. I am sure that Prime Minister [ Shinzō] Abe will tell me all about it.