Japan sends 'Akita' gift to Russia; Putin rejects

December 11, 2016 21:35

Russia has turned down Tokyo's latest attempt at dog diplomacy ahead of a summit between President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe later this month, an aide said, as the two leaders look to end a decades-old territorial row.

Japan had planned to give the Russian president -- who is known for being a canine lover -- a male Akita when he visits Japan on December 15 and 16, which will include a trip to Abe's home state of western Yamaguchi.

It was hoped the dog could accompany a female of the same breed named "Yume" -- which means "dream" in Japanese -- that Tokyo had presented to Putin four years ago as a thank you gift for Russia's help after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

"Unfortunately, we received a reply yesterday that they will not take him as the bridegroom," Koichi Hagiuda, one of Abe's close aides, said in a blog.

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