Akita Dog Owned by President Putin of Japan Dies of Old Age

JAKARTA - The Akita-type dog named Yume belonging to Russian President Vladimir Putin, which was presented by Akita Prefecture in northeastern Japan in 2012, died of old age last year, according to a statement from the Russian Presidential Office recently.

"It is with great sadness that we inform you that Yume passed away in 2025 due to old age," the Presidential Office said in response to a question from Kyodo News, as quoted (22/5),

Details such as the date of the dog's death were not explained. Originally, Yume was 14 years old in April.

Yume, which means "dream" in Japanese, was given to President Putin by Akita Prefecture in July 2012 as a sign of gratitude for Russia's support for areas severely affected by the devastating earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan in March 2011.

In December 2024, the Presidential Office told Kyodo News, "Yume is in good health despite her old age, and continues to please President Putin with her gentle, cheerful, and loyal character."

To note, the average life expectancy of an Akita dog is estimated at around 12 years.

Yume herself is believed to be kept at President Putin's official residence and rarely appears in public.

In February 2014, Putin and Yume welcomed the then-Japanese Prime Minister, the late Shinzo Abe, at his residence in Sochi, a resort on the Black Sea, where the two leaders held talks.

In December 2016, Putin took Yume to a press conference with several Japanese media ahead of his visit to Japan.

Shoji Hatakeyama, 83, from Odate, Akita Prefecture, who looked after Yume for about three months before he was given to President Putin, said, "It's sad, but I think he's fine in Russia which is colder than Akita. Since we have no information, I wonder how he is doing."

As a return gift, President Putin sent a Siberian cat to the then Governor of Akita, Norihisa Satake, in February 2013. The cat was named Mir, which means "peace" in Russian, and died of illness in December 2024.