Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TOKYO2275
2006-04-26 08:17:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
CUBA: JAPAN RESPONDS TO LIBERTAD ACT QUESTIONS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0011 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHKO #2275 1160817 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 260817Z APR 06 FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1402 INFO RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0007
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 002275
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR WHA/CCA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/20/2021
TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL JA
SUBJECT: CUBA: JAPAN RESPONDS TO LIBERTAD ACT QUESTIONS
REF: STATE 57782
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor W. Michael Meserve for Reas
ons 1.4 b,d.
(C) In response to reftel request, on April 20 MOFA Mexico
and Central America Division Cuba Desk officer Tatsushi
Ryosenan and on April 17 Deputy Director of the Ministry of
Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Americas Division Tomohiro
Kaneko conveyed the following Japanese government response to
questions regarding title III of the Libertad Act:
Q: What is the nature of investments (and names, if known)
that host country businesses
have in Cuba?
A: MOF Balance of Payments statistics indicate that there is
no Japanese direct or portfolio investment in Cuba. (Note:
The reporting threshold for foreign investment is Y100
million (approx. $874,000). Any investment below this
threshold is not included in the Balance of Payments
Statistics.)
Q: Are there any bilateral trade agreements between host
country and Cuba?
A: Yes, the Japan-Cuba Trade Agreement of 1960. Japan has
no plans for new economic agreements with Cuba. Japanese
exports to Cuba have grown from JPY 3.3 billion (USD 28
million at current exchange rates) in 2002 to JPY 19.2
billion (approximately USD 164 billion) in 2005. Japan's
imports from Cuba remained flat over the same period,
averaging about JPY 3.0 billion (USD 25 million) each year.
Electronics and other machinery accounted for nearly all of
Japan's exports, with medical equipment and electrical
generators constituting most of the total.
Q: Are there any exchange programs between host country and
Cuba?
A: No.
Q: Has the host country, in Post's opinion, worked to
promote the advancement of democracy and human rights in
Cuba?
A: Yes. Japan voted in favor of U.S.-backed resolutions
condemning human rights abuses there, and supports civil
society in Cuba through its Mission in Havana. Japan also
has held a "Dialogue on Human Rights" with Cuba twice, in
October 2001 and May 2003.
Q: Have there been any high-level diplomatic visits between
Cuba and host country in the past six months?
A: Yes. Cuban Minister of Governance for International
Commerce Cabrisaz visited Japan in March 2006.
DONOVAN