TOKYO, Ramadan 23, 1435, July 20, 2014, SPA -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged to continue dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin, taking a softer line with Moscow than some Western powers after the shooting down of a passenger jet over Ukraine, Reuters reported. Abe has worked to improve Japan's relations with resource-rich Russia, a centrepiece of his foreign policy. "Russia should commit constructively to various international issues as a responsible state. To help that I will continue dialogue with President Putin," Abe said in a speech carried in Japanese media. "Any conflict should be solved not by power but by diplomatic means based on international law," he said. --SPA 14:24 LOCAL TIME 11:24 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w