Japan woos Cuba in latest example of Abe's international diplomacy

Tokyo

JAPANESE Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's effort to step up economic and strategic diplomacy on the world stage, in competition with China, is set to take a step forward this week when he visits Havana for talks with Cuban President Raul Castro.

The Cuba visit - the first by a Japanese prime minister - has strong significance for Japan, analysts say, in that it comes at a time when China is strengthening ties with Cuba and also because Havana's traditionally warm relations with North Korea could possibly help Tokyo improve ties with Pyongyang.