EMBASSY TOKYO RESPONSE TO LIBERTAD ACT REVIEW

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 003502 SIPDIS WHA/CCA FOR DAVID MCFARLAND E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2015 TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL CU JA SUBJECT: EMBASSY TOKYO RESPONSE TO LIBERTAD ACT REVIEW REF: A. STATE 126578 ¶B. TOKYO 2286 Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES JAMES ZUMWALT FOR REASON 1.4(B),(D) ¶1. (C) Per request in Ref A, Post provides the following information, keyed to the specific questions in reftel. Much of the most recent information results from meetings with Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Mexico and Central America Division Cuba Desk Officer Fusae Tsunoda and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Cuba Desk Officer Hideki Morimoto. Q: Has the Host country, in Post's opinion, worked to promote the advancement of democracy and human rights in Cuba? Has the host country made public statements or undertaken other governmental actions, such as resolutions in the national assemblies condemning human rights abuses in Cuba; or actions in support of civil society in Cuba through host country's diplomatic missions or other fora. A: Japan has continued to call for human rights and democracy in Cuba. In February 2008 on the succession of Raul Castro, MOFA issued a statement expressing hope that the change in government will be a step toward democratization in Cuba. Q: Have there been any high level diplomatic visits between Cuba and the host country in the past six months? A: Tsunoda reported no high-level visits have occurred during the current review period. However, she noted there could be high-level visits in the coming year, which is the 80th anniversary of bilateral relations between Japan and Cuba. Q: Did the host country offer or deliver humanitarian or other assistance to the Cuban people in the wake of the major damage caused by Hurricanes Gustav (August 30) and Ike (September 8)? A: On October 24, the GOJ decided to provide $800,000 in emergency grant aid in response to an appeal from the World Food Programme. The GOJ also provided assistance amounting to 59,999 euros (about 9.84 million yen or $100,000 at the time) for the "Project of Support for Victims of Natural Disaster in the Special Municipality of the Isla de Juventud" and 60,000 euros for the "Project of Support for Victims of Natural Disaster in Pinar del Rio Province" through the GOJ's Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Project. The total amount of Japanese assistance in the wake of the hurricanes was 110 million yen (about $1.1 million). Q: What is the nature of investments (and names, if known) that host country businesses have in Cuba? What host country businesses participated in the Havana Trade Fair (November 3)? A: In general, Japan exports medical devices, precision instruments and consumer electronics to Cuba while importing seafood and seafood products, cigars, coffee, nickel and other food items. According to Ministry of Finance data, Japan's exports to Cuba amounted to 20.1 million yen in 2007, while imports totaled 1.95 million yen. Exports for the first ten months of 2008 fell to 5.95 million yen, while imports held study at 1.23 million yen. The drop in Japan's exports to Cuba can be attributed to the GOJ-run Nippon Export Investment Insurance's (NEXI) suspension of underwriting trade insurance on exports in mid-August due to delays in payments from the National Bank of Cuba (Ref B). According to METI's Morimoto, NEXI resumed underwriting export insurance on December 15 upon an agreement with the National Bank of Cuba to pay arrears. Most Japanese firms that do business with Cuba are small to mid-sized trading houses that depend on NEXI insurance to underwrite their transactions. As for the Havana Trade Fair, MOFA's Tsunoda said the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO),sent representatives from its Mexico City office to the trade fair. Tsunoda was unaware of specific Japanese firms attending the event. Morimoto noted the Japan-Cuba Economic Conference, an industry organization consisting of private firms with business interests in Cuba, went on a trade mission to Cuba in early September. The organization's membership includes mid-sized trading companies. Q: Are there any bilateral trade agreements or other cooperative agreements between host country and Cuba? A: Japan/Cuba trade continues to be governed by the Japan Cuba Trade Agreement of 1960. METI's Morimoto stated the countries have not concluded any recent trade or other cooperative agreements. Q: Are there any exchange programs between host country and Cuba, including but not limited to: scholarships for host country nationals to study in Cuba; Cuban-paid medical travel for host country nationals; and Cuban doctors working in host country? A: Tsunoda reported there are no GOJ-sponsored exchange programs. ¶2. (U) Embassy Tokyo point of contact for follow-up inquiries is Ed Luchessi, Economic Officer, LuchessiEP@state.gov. ZUMWALT