Ricardo Cabrisas, a vice president of Cuba's Councils of State and Ministers and minister of Economy and Planning, yesterday July 20, received the honorable Hitoshi Kikawuada, deputy parliamentary foreign minister of Japan, who is making an official visit to the country.

During the cordial meeting, Cabrisas and the Japanese leader reaffirmed the growing development of bilateral relations between the two countries and the shared desire to continue promoting exchanges in areas of mutual interest.

Accompanying the distinguished visitor were the honorable Masaru Watanabe, Japan's ambassador in Cuba, and other members of the country's diplomatic mission in Havana.

Also participating on the Cuban side were Marcos Rodríguez Costa, Cuban ambassador in Japan, and other representatives of the Foreign Ministry.