Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda is to give Russian President Vladimir Putin an Akita puppy, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.

“The puppy can bring Japan and Russia closer together despite the fact that there are a number of unresolved issues between the two countries,” said Norihisa Satake, head of the Akita prefecture, where the breed originated.

The puppy in question was born on April 24 and weighs six kilograms. Its name is a closely guarded secret.

Putin currently has a Labrador named Koni and a Bulgarian shepherd named Baffi, which was given to him by his Bulgarian counterpart Boiko Borisov in November 2010.

The Akita, a large spitz breed of dog, has a short double coat similar to that of many other northern Spitz breeds, e.g., Siberian Husky.

The Akita is a strong, independent and dominant breed, commonly aloof with strangers but affectionate with family members.