Cuban artists living in Japan opened an exhibition in this capital specifically devoted to the Cuban anti-terrorist fighters unjustly held in the United States, one of whom is already back in Cuba after completing his sentence.

The ceremony, held at the Akasaka Kumin Civic Center and organized by the Association of Cuban Residents and the Cuban embassy in Japan, honors Gerardo Hernandez, Ramon Labañino, Antonio Guerrero, Fernando Gonzalez, and Rene Gonzalez, known worldwide as the Cuban Five.

They were detained on September 12, 1998 in Miami. Rene Gonzalez was recently released on the condition of renouncing his U.S. citizenship after serving his sentence.

The show, which joins for second time in recent years artists from the Caribbean island living in this Asian nation, included Cuban rhythms and dances, and served to bring culturally the two peoples closer, organizers said.

Elizabeth Palmeiro, wife of Labañino, Alicia Corredera, vice president of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples, ambassador Marcos Rodriguez, along with members of the diplomatic staff, officials of the Minato-ku prefecture and other Japanese figures, attended the event .

Japanese legislators said they appreciated learning about the Cuban Five, and reaffirmed the commitment from the Parliamentary League of Friendship to spread the word and fight the injustice committed against the Cuban anti-terrorist fighters, said Cuban diplomatic sources.