Japan, Cuba agree to boost trade

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and Ricardo Cabrisas, vice president of Cuba’s Council of Ministers, agreed Monday to boost bilateral trade and investment after Havana and Washington began negotiations in January to restore diplomatic ties.

“I would like to continue to strengthen our relations in wide-ranging areas and hold a frank dialogue,” Kishida was quoted by the Foreign Ministry as saying to the visiting Cuban official during their meeting in Tokyo.

Cabrisas, who is in charge of Cuba’s foreign economic policy, told Kishida he hopes to see stronger bilateral economic ties through interaction with Japanese firms, according to the ministry.

Arrangements are being made for Cabrisas to hold talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during the weeklong visit through Saturday, ministry officials said.