Abe, who is in Spain for talks with Spanish President Mariano Rajoy as part of a larger European tour, responded to whether he considered Ukraine a significant problem for Japan with a clarification that Japan intends to be involved in the resolution of the nation's dispute with Russia. "I would like to reiterate first of all that we cannot allow a change in the status quo of a nation by force," he told the paper, adding that "the situation in Ukraine is not just something that affects Europe, but it is a matter of a global problem that also concerns Asia." Japan, he added, has "established help for the recovery of their economy and of democratic principles, as well as integration and dialogue."

In a tour of Germany last week, Abe reiterated those statements as he and German Chancellor Angela Merkel promised their countries would continue to impose sanctions on Russia until peace reigned in Ukraine.

Abe also answered questions relating to territorial disputes with Russia. Japan has some experience with that, as Russia claims the Kuril Islands, which stretch off the coast of Hokkaido. "I trust in dialogue; I always bet on dialogue, for Ukraine as much as to solve any other conflict," he said of the dispute. He added that he expects that dialogue will "advance Russian-Japanese relations" in a way that could "harmonize our national interests."