Yoshihiro Murai, Governor of Miyagi Prefecture, highlighted the historical relations between the peoples of Japan and Cuba, during a meeting held in that locality with Cuban ambassador to this country, Marcos Rodriguez, it was reported today. 

The Japanese leader thanked the demonstrations of solidarity by Cuba during the East Japan Great Earthquake occurred in March 2011, and the presence of the Cuban diplomat in the celebrations for the 400th anniversary of the Keicho Mission, led by samurai Hasekura Tsunenaga.

The historic character arrived in Havana in 1614, on his tour of several cities on his way to Spain and Italy.

Cuban sources in this capital stated that Rodriguez praised the rapid reconstruction of the city of Ishinomaki, one of the most affected by the earthquake and subsequent tsunami, which according to the diplomat is an "example of the spirit of fighting and effort of the Japanese people, who suffered so much with these devastating natural phenomena."

Other issues discussed during the meeting between Murai and Rodriguez were the activities in Cuba and Japan on occasion of the four centuries of the visit to Havana of Tsunenaga Hasekura, the first Japanese to set foot on Cuban soil.