In the Pearl of Caribbean

For the first time as Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe made a historical visit to Cuba on Thursday. Long waiting for the end of quarrel between this despotic regime and United States, Japan joined a competition over the market of a country called the Pearl of the Caribbean. In the meeting with Cuban leaders, Abe pledged positive investment for growth of Cuban economy.

In the meeting with President of the Council of the State of Cuba, Raul Castro, Abe announced ¥1.3 billion of donation for introducing medical equipments, expecting positive business advance of Japanese companies to Cuba. Before Prime Minister’s visit, both governments of Japan and Cuba agreed on exemption of ¥120 billion out of whole ¥180 billion Cuban debt to Japan. Japan is considering further investment in the future.

Both leaders reconfirmed to establish joint convention of public and private sectors for discussing conditions of investment to Cuba in Tokyo this November. Abe told Castro that Japan would open an office of Japan International Cooperation Agency in Cuba. “We hope to help progress of Cuban economy and society with efforts of the public and the private. I expect the leadership of President Raul for paving the way to generate environment for investment,” told Abe in the meeting. Raul positively evaluated Japan’s advanced technology and promised his effort.

China has been active in enhancing its influence in Caribbean region. Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Cuba in 2014 and Prime Minister Li Keqiang is going to make a trip to Cuba soon. The untouched market is focused on by Western economies including European nations after U.S. Barack Obama administration reopened diplomatic relations. Japan is in a hurry not to miss the opportunities.

Abe did not forget to ask support Japan’s effort to contain North Korea, which was repeating intimidation of missile launches and nuclear tests. He also explained the situation in East or South China Sea, where China kept on advancing for economic interest or even sovereignty. “It is important for international conflict to settle peacefully,” replied Raul Castro.

To pay fundamental respect to the national father, Abe had a meeting with former President Fidel Castro in Havana before the meeting of his brother, Raul. “In Cuba, tragedy in Hiroshima and Nagasaki has been told. Our nations agree for establishing non-nuclear world,” said Fidel. Quoting words of Fidel in the visit to Hiroshima in 2003, Abe praised Fidel’s message to the world not to repeat nuclear devastation. This kind of meeting had been impossible during U.S., an indispensable ally of Japan in Abe’s recognition, and Fidel was sharply opposing for decades.