OREANDA-NEWS. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe over the phone discussed the fight against coronavirus. This was reported by the press service of the Russian leader.

"The situation around the coronavirus pandemic was discussed", the Kremlin said. Putin and Abe also reaffirmed plans to expand collaboration in medicine, including joint drug development. "The plans for expanding the cooperation of relevant departments in the field of health, including the joint development of medicines, have been confirmed", the Kremlin said.

In addition, other topical issues of Russian-Japanese interaction were also touched upon, including in the trade and economic sphere. It was agreed to continue contacts at various levels as the epidemiological situation normalizes.