[Yasuhiro] Yamashita is a respected judo master not only in Japan but across the world. To me, he is an example of an outstanding athlete and a very good man.

Russia must realise its full potential in high-tech sectors such as modern energy technology, transport and communications, space and aircraft building.

There are also other areas. For example, culture. This is extremely important. We keep revisiting sport, judo, because I practice it, but other than that, there is also culture. Every year events that are in some way or other related to Russia take place in Japan.

I can't believe that OMON [Russia's riot police] would hit a girl. I simply can't imagine it.

I have a private life in which I do not permit interference. It must be respected.

Oil production, energy production are growing, though the latter has gone down by about 1 percent here, I believe... By the way, we occupy the first place in the world in gas export, accounting for 20 percent of the world market. We are also first in the sphere of liquid hydrocarbons export.

Presidents come and go, and even parties come to and away from power. But the main policy tack does not change.