After attending the Global Hibakusha Forum in Havana on March 1st, former Cuban leader, Fidel Castro said he plans to visit Fukushima’s disaster area in 2013.  The 85 year old former president attended the forum along with 750 Japanese delegates and hundreds of fellow Cubans. 

During the forum, Castro met with a researcher at Fukushima University as well as survivors of the 1945 bombings at Hiroshima and Nagasaki.  Many Japanese encouraged Castro to help the campaign against nuclear power.  Castro, well known for his interest in nuclear issues stated to AJW Asahi, “I want to assist Japan because situations where kids suffer should be avoided by all means.”  He then verbally committed to visiting the devastated area next year. 

The forum, held in the Cuban capital, was organized by a non governmental group called Peace Boat.  The mission of this organization is to encourage international dialogue during their Global Peace Voyage.