Like a Rising Sun, the friendship between Japan and Cuba.
During decades Japan has kept solid relationships of cooperation with Cuba.
Jorge Ernesto Angulo Leiva | jorgeernestoanguloleiva@gmail.
September 15th, 2024
In the middle of the covid pandemia, Japan donated to Cuba, on top of medical supplies, urban public transport buses.
“Cubans have the responsibility and the capacity to move forward, and we walk with them in the implementation of the objectives of the 2030 Sustainable Development Plan, as expressed in their National Plan of Economic and Social Development (Plan Nacional de Desarrollo Económico y Social)”.
Kenji Hirata, Japan’s Ambassador in Cuba for the last three years, in recent conversation shared with Granma his views regarding the results, scope and cooperation perspectives between Japan and Cuba. «In spite of economic, political and social differences, even of the geographic distance between our two nations, we need to congratulate ourselves in sustaining this relationship which has strong historic roots,” he pointed.
–In what stage are our bilateral links?
–We have increased little by little the tools favoring cooperation, above all since the visit of our then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, in 2016.
«He personally participated in the delivery of four of the eight Large-Scale Non-Refundable Financial Assistance programs, initiated since 2018. I was also present in 15 donations to communities, and in humanitarian aid for the effects of Hurricane Ian in 2022.
–What level of importance do you concede to technical cooperation?
–In total, since 2002 we have implemented 26 projects based precisely in that kind of cooperation. “Knowing how to do” resides in people, so only them can transmit this knowledge to others.
«Our country exists thanks to huge sacrifices made by our people in the reconstruction effort after World War II; those experiences, successes and challenges, can provide a lot of knowledge, probably indirectly, because of the specificity of each context.
“For instance, in a new field for the economy of this island, like mipymes, Japan has a long tradition in fomenting them, tradition that we believe can offer very useful insights in how to best design Cuban policies about this type of management.
«In 2023, we invited six businessmen and a similar number of governmental employees to Japan, mainly to show them how similar initiatives function in our case, so they could pick up the ideas and practices that best serves them.
–What is the purpose of the Financial Assistance No Refundable in Large Scale?
We have to clarify that it does not take place in a unilateral manner, it is a relationship in which both parties have to cooperate to achieve desirable outcomes, with the objective of transforming donated assets into benefits.
–Within this modality, why working on an electrical energy storage and management system in the Island of Youth?
The electrical energy flowing from solar panels is unstable as it depends very much from the conditions of the climate.
«The Island of Youth is bringing together renewable energy with energy obtained thanks to the use of other more traditional sources of energy, and this system of storage and management makes it possible to increase or decrease energy provision through alternative ways, in sync with solar exposure of photovoltaic parks. Allowing in this way to ensure and warrant a stable supply.
«Many agents of the National Electric Union (Union Nacional Eléctrica) are including in our training opportunities in the use of this technology, even though they already have a very advanced education, and in this manner we optimize and shorten their learning time.
«This experience can become very useful for a mega-projects of 2000 megawatts generated through panels, because power delivery can be synchronized with the National Electric System, and a mechanism to ensure stability is required.
–What kind of medical equipment have you brought?
“In 2018 endoscopy and pathological anatomy devices for 34 hospitals in 12 provinces were received in Cuba. Crucial because about 30 minutes after a biopsy is initiated you can determine if an organ is affected by cancer or not.
«In 2022, with support from the UN Children Fund and within a program focusing on Strengthening Health Capacity for the Covid-19 Crisis, we contributed to ensure the vaccination campaign against coronavirus, with syringes and cold chain equipment, was possible in 255 clinics.
«Cuba faced that pandemic in a very efficient manner and again, I congratulate the Cuban government. It makes me proud that we have been able to contribute in some manner to that struggle.
«In 2022 also we facilitated the work of 64 hospitals by providing suction equipment and portable ultrasound and X Rays equipment. The first ones named extract fluids linked to risk of suffocation in patients with respiratory challenges.
«In the meantime, in the context of the mentioned virus, equipment generating medical images available in specifically designed rooms, lowered the chances of spread and contagion within hospitals as the mobility of patients was limited.
–How is Japan contributing to Cuban agriculture, in particular rice cultivation?
–You know last names ending in «ta», like mine, are very common among us because “ta” means «rice paddy». The cultivation of rice is the basis of our culture for millennia, and our main food. Because of the importance of rice in Cuba, it is only natural for us wanting to share the knowledge we have in this area.
«We act in two ways: technical cooperation and assistance in large scale. Regarding the first one for 18 years now we are working in identifying the best seeds for the conditions prevailing in Cuba. We also focus in ensuring production and distribution of seeds and many farmers have them in their hands today.
«We have also introduced new equipment, and I have seen personally the new equipment in the field in Cienfuegos and in Pinar del Rio but I know it is already present in nine territories in Cuba.
–What has been Japan response in connection with humanitarian aid in dealing with natural disasters?
–The most important is speed, first local authorities need to identify the needs to repair damages, then a call for help and finally the provision of materials in keeping with the needs in the country requesting help and availability in the one providing assistance.
«We have centers for the storage of materials and, if the need coincides with what we have available at that moment, we can be very fast. During 2022 I delivered a package that contained 23 water purifiers and similar number of simple tanks to store the liquid and 50 roles of cables and adapters.
–What impact has the Non-Refundable Financial Assistance for Human Security Projects at local level?
–They are small, each can cost a maximum of 130 000 dollars but they provide solutions to the challenges of small communities.
«For example, in intricate small towns in Cienfuegos we installed pumping equipment functioning with renewable energy, people benefitted from a more stable supply of water while government saved on fuel.
–What is your thinking about the effectivity of local food security?
–We have installed irrigation systems functioning with photovoltaic energy, donated nets to weaken the incidence of the sun over crops, in addition to tractors and other equipment. We also backed the processing of foodstuff with equipment like blenders, to commercialize and add value to the products.
–What can you tell us about cultural assistance?
–Until 2014 we implemented 12 projects, but since then they stop. Among the benefits obtained, installation of sound equipment in theatres, also musical instruments for the National Symphonic Orchestra, and the building of the Planetary of Havana.
–What learning have the master plans left?
–In a sense, as a final report, I would say that the teams of Japanese and Cuban experts working and learning together and establishing links of trust has resulted.
“The final report analyzes the challenges and makes suggestions. It only has value if those who work in this actually study it and use it in practice with financial resources and sufficient human forces.
“There are already two plans of that kind in motion: transport and renewable energy. In the first plan the key for success is in great measure strengthening logistic management. While training in the management of renewable sources and on the systems that connect electric energy are fundamental for the second plan.
“Japanese cooperation brings a message of solidarity and hope both deserved and needed. You are one of our friends; and, we encourage them to greater efforts to achieve your national goals.
