Moscow, Russia — Yume, the female Akita dog presented to Russian President Vladimir Putin by Japan in 2012, has died of old age, according to confirmation from the Russian presidential office.
Born in April 2012, Yume was gifted to Putin in July 2012 by Japan’s Akita Prefecture. The gesture was made in appreciation for Russia’s assistance following the devastating Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami in March 2011. The name “Yume” means “dream” in Japanese.
Russian authorities recently informed Japanese media outlets, including Kyodo News, that Yume passed away in 2025. She would have turned 14 years old in April 2026.
Akitas, a Japanese breed renowned for their loyalty and dignified demeanor, are often regarded as symbols of faithfulness. Yume lived in Russia after being gifted and made occasional public appearances alongside Putin, notably around 2016.
In 2016, Japan offered another Akita as a companion for Yume, but the offer was declined by the Russian side. Putin has received several other animals as diplomatic gifts over the years, including a dog named Verny from Turkmenistan in 2017.
The news of Yume’s passing has been widely reported in Japanese media in mid-May 2026, evoking memories of warmer Japan-Russia relations during the period following the 2011 disaster.
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