In a message released on X, the Cuban Foreign Ministry expressed its “warmest congratulations” to the Japanese side on the occasion and reaffirmed its position of closeness to the people and government of that Asian nation.

“We reaffirm our will to continue to fully and comprehensively develop our historic ties of friendship and cooperation,” the Ministry underlines in its message.

According to historical records, bilateral relations in the first three decades of the 20th century were marked by the arrival and settlement of Japanese immigrants, while the first diplomatic relations were established through missions in Washington.

The formalisation of these relations began in 1929 with the signing of an agreement that laid the foundations for trade relations and the treatment of Japanese nationals.

Relations with Japan are “exemplary, based on mutual respect and transparent dialogue, which has the merit of not depending on pressure from third parties,” Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said during a visit to Havana by a high-ranking Japanese politician in 2023.

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