Russian President Vladimir Putin, widely regarded in Japan as a political tough guy, has a certain appeal to young Japanese women, apparently, as they have been snapping up 2019 calendars featuring the Russian leader.

The Loft Co., operator of a chain of variety goods and cosmetics stores which sells the calendars, is already looking ahead with anticipation to 2020 after watching the calendars fly off the shelves for the third year in a row.

(Calendars featuring Putin displayed at a Loft store in Tokyo's Ginza district)

The store has been selling three different Putin calendars for 2019, and has sold some 5,200 copies since they went on sale at 114 Loft stores operated nationwide in the fall of 2018 as well as online.

In a result that will doubtless please the Russian president, his calendars topped Loft's sales in the celebrity calendar category this year, easily defeating Pyeongchang Olympic gold medalist figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu, according to Loft spokeswoman Akiko Ikeda.

Many of the customers who bought the Putin calendars, which range in price from 1,200 yen to 1,500 yen ($13.5) per copy, at Loft stores seem to be women in their 20s and 30s, Ikeda said, adding more than 95 percent of sales have been over the counter.

"The calendars feature shots that show the Russian president's private side, such as him enjoying sports and outdoor events. This is really unusual in a noted politician, and is what encourages our customers to seek them out," Ikeda said.

(A page of a calendar featuring Putin offered at Loft stores)

Loft began importing Putin calendars in 2016 when Putin became the first Russian president to visit Japan in 11 years, excluding trips made by Russian leaders for international conferences.

The Putin calendars, which came in two kinds in 2016, sold some 5,000 copies in total, topping sales in the retailer's celebrity calendar category that year. The runner-up was former Japanese tennis player Shuzo Matsuoka, a Wimbledon quarterfinalist, while manga artist Yoshikazu Ebisu placed third.

Putin defended his "title" in 2017, followed by Matsuoka and veteran shogi board game pro Hifumi Kato, according to Loft.