[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a press occasion at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence.

In regard to his telephone talk with H.E. Mr. Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, President of the Russian Federation, the Prime Minister said,

“I have just held a telephone talk with President Putin, and expressed my condolences and sympathy in regard to the terrorist incident that occurred in St. Petersburg. Terrorism should never be tolerated for any reason. We strongly condemn it. I also expressed our sincere solidarity with the people of Russia during this difficult time.
I told President Putin that Japan will cooperate with Russia and the other countries of the world, the international community, in order to eradicate terrorism.
President Putin voiced his gratitude for my condolences, and expressed his intention to cooperate with Japan to eradicate terrorism.”