Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba in Sochi on July 28.
Putin called for increased trade between the two countries.
Gemba also met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov for talks about disputed islands that have strained the two countries' relations since World War II.
Gemba said he had conveyed Japan's regret over visits to Kunashir, one of the disputed islands, by Dmitry Medvedev, who made the first visit to the islands by a Russian president in 2010 and went there again on July 3 as prime minister.
Lavrov rejected Japanese criticism of the trips.
He said, "Russian authorities are responsible for improving the socioeconomic situation in this part of the Russian Federation and we will continue to do this."
Putin and Gemba did not mention the islands in comments, with reporters present, at the start of their meeting.
Putin called for increased trade between the two countries.
Gemba also met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov for talks about disputed islands that have strained the two countries' relations since World War II.
Gemba said he had conveyed Japan's regret over visits to Kunashir, one of the disputed islands, by Dmitry Medvedev, who made the first visit to the islands by a Russian president in 2010 and went there again on July 3 as prime minister.
Lavrov rejected Japanese criticism of the trips.
He said, "Russian authorities are responsible for improving the socioeconomic situation in this part of the Russian Federation and we will continue to do this."
Putin and Gemba did not mention the islands in comments, with reporters present, at the start of their meeting.
