Russia's Asia neighbors say they expect relations to strengthen with the election of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin as president.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura told a news conference Monday that Tokyo's basic policy toward Russia is to promote cooperation in various areas to build an appropriate partnership.

Fujimura also said Tokyo hopes to resolve a territorial dispute over four islands that Soviet forces seized weeks after Japan's surrender in World War Two. Mr. Putin has expressed his wish to put an end to the dispute over the Kuril islands.

China's official Xinhua news agency said in a commentary Monday that Beijing expects China-Russia relations to further develop during Mr. Putin's six-year term.

The article said China looks forward to further expansion of cooperation in areas such as trade, energy and technology.