Cuban Ambassador to Japan Carlos Miguel Pereira Hernandez (left) presents a bottle of rum to Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki at the prefectural government office on June 4.

Cuban Ambassador to Japan Carlos Miguel Pereira Hernandez paid a courtesy call on Okinawa Prefectural Governor Denny Tamaki at the prefectural government office on June 4. They exchanged opinions on the friendship between Okinawa and Cuba. It was the first time for the Cuban ambassador to visit Okinawa since he took office in 2016.

The ambassador emphasized his pleasure at being able to visit by saying: “I’ve wanted to visit Okinawa for a long time. I’m glad my dream has come true.” He added, “Cuba also has U.S. military bases, so Cubans feel sympathetic toward the Okinawan people.”

He went on to say: “Cuba and Okinawa have some things in common because we have similar climates, nature, and customs. There are immigrants from Okinawa living in Cuba, so we’d like to continue exchanges.”

Tamaki said: “I visited Cuba in 2015 and was impressed by the free medical treatment and education. I want to visit Cuba again and drink Papa Daiquiris with you.” He also expressed his intention to continue deepening mutual exchanges.