Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi told his Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodriguez on Monday that Japan hopes Havana will take steps to respond to the demands of anti-government protestors earlier this month.
"I am looking forward to seeing the government listen to the voices of many people and the situation improving," Motegi was quoted as telling Rodriguez in their telephone talks while visiting Panama, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry.
Motegi was initially scheduled to visit Havana during his tour of Central American and Caribbean countries, but canceled the stop due to the spread of novel coronavirus infections in Cuba.
Motegi also told Rodriguez that he hopes the country will bring down coronavirus infections, the ministry said.
In Cuba, thousands of people have protested against the government over shortages of food and electricity, in an extremely rare move in a country where demonstrations are banned in principle.
The Cuban foreign minister expressed his support for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics being held in a difficult situation amid the coronavirus pandemic, the ministry said.
Motegi extended his stay in Panama after arriving there from Guatemala on Saturday. He will travel to Jamaica later Monday before he returns to Japan on Wednesday.
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