Former Prime Minister Mori was the first prominent public figure from Japan to meet Putin since the crisis over Ukraine.

Mori handed Putin a letter from current Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The two met during the Russian-Japan forum where Alexander Zhukov, President of the Russian Olympic Committee, raised the possibility of athletes from the two countries training together in the build-up to Tokyo 2020. 

Zhukov claimed that Russia would be willing to share with Japan the knowledge they gained while preparing for Sochi 2014, where the host nation exceeded expectations by finishing top overall with a total of 33 medals, 13 of them gold. 

Russia had slipped to fourth overall on the medals table at London 2012.

They won a total of 81 medals - 16 more than third-placed Britain - but only 24 of them were gold compared to the host country's 29. 

Japan, meanwhile, finished 11th overall at London with 38 medals, seven of them gold.

Russian Olympic Committee President Alexander Zhukov has claimed that they and Japan should work together in the build-up to Tokyo 2020 ©Getty Images

"We are ready to share not only the experience of holding the Games, but the joint training of athletes, where Russia has the foremost experience and the leading athletes," said Zhukov.

"We have a lot of sports like this, such as synchronised swimming.

"Russia and Japan are countries fond of sport where sport is loved and with a lot of outstanding athletes.

"When it comes to cooperation in the field of sport, on sporting events, no political barriers and obstacles is felt.

Japan is a true friend and a country with which they are willing to cooperate in all directions in the field of sport."

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