Press Releases
Message of Condolence from Foreign Minister Kishida on the Demise of Mr. Fidel Castro Former President of the Council of State of the Republic of Cuba
On November 26, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, sent the following message of condolences to H.E. Mr. Bruno Eduardo Rodríguez, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba, upon hearing news of the demise of Mr. Fidel Castro, former President of the Council of State of the Republic of Cuba, on November 25 (local time).
1. I solemnly pray for the peaceful repose of the soul of former President Castro.
2. I had an opportunity to meet with him when I visited Cuba in May 2015 and was greatly impressed by his very warm comments about Japan.
3. He visited Japan twice and made great efforts to advance friendly ties and mutual understanding with Japan. He also visited my hometown, Hiroshima. Even after resigning his post as President, he continued to deepen even more the relationship between the two countries.
4. I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the Government of Cuba, the Cuban people, and former his relatives, on behalf of the Government of Japan and Japanese people.