The lack of interest leaves Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping free to pursue their geopolitical goals with Russia.
China has also found common cause with Russia in coming under criticism from Western governments, media and human rights groups, even using it to try to foster better ties. During the Beijing Summer Olympics in 2008, China faced many complaints about the stifling of dissent.
"The West has constantly found fault with Russia's holding of the games," the state-run newspaper Global Times said in Friday's editorial. It added that the criticism Russia is facing only serves to underscore the connection between the two countries.
Xi is the first Chinese head of state to attend the opening ceremony of an international sporting event outside of China. State newspapers devoted their front pages Friday to Xi's meeting with Putin, which was also the lead item on state broadcaster CCTV's national news.
"China and Russia are good neighbors, good partners and good friends. As is Chinese custom, I should most certainly come in person to congratulate my neighbor on their happy occasion," Xi was quoted as saying by the Communist Party's flagship People's Daily.
Abe will met Putin on Saturday, the fifth meeting between them since Abe became prime minister about 13 months ago. He hopes a close personal bond with the Russian leader will allow the two countries to resolve a territorial dispute that dates to the end of World War II.
On his way to the airport Friday, Abe stopped briefly to speak to an annual rally about the islands, known as the Southern Kurils in Russia and the Northern Territories in Japan. "I am determined to work tenaciously to resolve the Northern Territories issue, which is the biggest issue left between Japan and Russia," he said.
