Japan-Cuba Summit Meeting

On September 28, commencing at 1:10 p.m., for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, held a summit meeting with H.E. Mr. Manuel Marrero Cruz, Prime Minister of the Republic of Cuba, who is visiting Japan to attend the State Funeral for former Prime Minister Abe. The overview of the meeting is as follows.

1. At the outset, Prime Minister Kishida welcomed Prime Minister Marrero's first visit to Japan and expressed his gratitude for attending the State Funeral for former Prime Minister Abe. Prime Minister Kishida also stated that he would like to develop diplomatic legacy inherited from former Prime Minister Abe, touching upon the friendly bilateral relations between Japan and Cuba of over 400 years. In response, Prime Minister Marrero recalled that former Prime Minister Abe, who was the first incumbent Japanese Prime Minister to visit Cuba, elevated the bilateral relations to new heights, and stated that Cuba immediately went into mourning upon hearing the passing of former Prime Minister, reiterating his condolences on behalf of the people of Cuba. Prime Minister Marrero also expressed that he would like to strengthen Japan-Cuba relations under the leadership of Prime Minister Kishida, who had visited Cuba for the first time as a Japanese incumbent Foreign Minister.

2. Furthermore, the leaders discussed initiatives in the international arena as well as regional situations. Prime Minister Kishida stated that the international community must be united in order to end the Russia’s aggression against Ukraine as soon as possible. In response, Prime Minister Marrero stated that he would like to continue to deepen cooperation with Japan.