Mar 04 (NHK) - The Japanese man who raised the Akita dog that was gifted to Russian President Vladimir Putin is joining the chorus condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
In 2012, the northeastern prefecture of Akita presented the then 3-month-old female puppy to Putin to promote cooperation with Russia in the fields of trade and tourism.
Putin, who is known as a dog lover, named the red-coated dog "Yume," the Japanese word for "dream."
Hatakeyama Shoji, who raised the puppy, now says that it is shameful that the Russian president has resorted to forceful action against Ukraine.
The 78-year-old says whatever reason Putin may have, disputes should be settled through dialogue, and military action is not the right path.