MOSCOW, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin still plans to visit Japan this year, but no date has yet been set, Interfax news agency reported Wednesday.
The Japanese government of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has confirmed the date of Putin's visit to Japan has not been finalized yet, Interfax said.
Some Western media outlets circulated reports Tuesday that Putin may pay his planned state visit to Japan in April 2005, or the visit may be put off until June. However, Japanese officials told Interfax no firm date had been agreed upon yet.
"A date that has not been set cannot be put off," an official in the Japanese Embassy in Moscow told the news agency.
"Based on an agreement between the parties, a date for Putin's visit to Japan will be set during preparations for this visit," another Japanese diplomat told Interfax.
