LIBERTAD ACT: JAPAN RESPONSE

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 001494

SIPDIS

FOR WHA/CCA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/30/2013
TAGS: PREL ETRD ETTC CU JA
SUBJECT: LIBERTAD ACT: JAPAN RESPONSE

REF: A. STATE 52541

B. TOKYO 1380

Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer. Reason 1.4 (b)(d)


1. (C) In response to request contained in Ref A, Embassy
Poloff met May 29 with Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mexico and
Central America Division Cuba Desk Officer Fusae Tsunoda to
discuss Japan-Cuba relations. Below are answers to specific
questions raised in reftel.


Q. Are there any exchange programs between host country and
Cuba?


A. Japan gives academic scholarships to 2-3 college students
every year, part of a world-wide program. In addition,
relationships between individual universities in Havana and
Tokyo involve student exchanges.


Q. Has the host country, in Post's opinion, worked to promote
the advancement of democracy and human rights in Cuba?


A. In connection with the May 21 Day of Solidarity with the
Cuban People, the Japanese Ambassador to Cuba, Akira
Takamatsu, invited Cuban Vice President of the Council of
State Carlos Lage to the Ambassador's Residence, expressing
Japan,s desire for democratic change in Cuba (ref B).
Highlighting Asian countries such as Indonesia and South
Korea as models for how democratization and economic
development can coincide, Takamatsu emphasized the importance
of increasing political participation and freedom of speech
in Cuba.


Q. Has the host country made other public statements or
undertaken other governmental actions, such as resolutions in
the national assemblies condemning human rights abuses in
Cuba; statements in support of democracy following the
undemocratic succession of power from Fidel to Raul Castro;
or actions in support of civil society in Cuba through host
country's diplomatic missions or other fora?


A. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a public statement
February 2008 expressing hope for democratization in Cuba.


Q. Have there been any high-level diplomatic visits between
Cuba and host country in the past six months?


A. The Japanese Senior Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure,
Transport and Tourism visited Cuba in January 2008 to observe
conservation of historical sites as well as to survey Cuba,s
tourism industry.


2. (SBU) Embassy also consulted with the Ministry of
Economy, Trade and Industry's Latin America and Caribbean
Division on the status of Japan Cuba trade and investment
relations. There have been no new Japanese investments in
Cuba over the past six months and no new bilateral trade
agreements between Japan and Cuba. Japan Cuba trade is
governed by the Japan Cuba Trade Agreement of 1960. Two-way
monthly trade ranges between JPY 700 million (USD 6.7
million) and JPY 1.6 billion (USD 16 million) per month, with
the balance in Japan's favor. Total trade in the first four
months of 2008 was JPY 3.01 billion (approximately USD 30
million) in Japanese exports to Cuba and JPY 569 million
(approximately USD 5.5 million) of Japanese imports from
Cuba. Major Japanese imports from Cuba are shrimp and other
food products. Japanese exports to Cuba consist primarily of
consumer electronics and medical equipment.
SCHIEFFER