The Hilton Fukuoka Sea Hawk, an affiliate of major U.S. hotel chain Hilton Hotels and Resorts, in Chuo Ward, Fukuoka, refused to accommodate Cuban Ambassador to Japan Carlos Miguel Pereira in October, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned.
The Hilton side, referring to U.S. sanctions on Cuba, explained the hotel had refrained from doing a deed that would have gone against the U.S. government policy. Following the incident, the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry has judged that the refusal violates the Inns and Hotels Law, and the Fukuoka city government has reprimanded the hotel.
According to a travel agency that tried to make hotel reservations at the embassy's request, the hotel refused the ambassador's stay on Oct. 2.
A Hilton employee in charge of Japan stated that the Hilton side intended to refuse to provide rooms to those who are confirmed to be government officials of Cuba, North Korea or other countries that are subject to U.S. economic sanctions at 14 hotels in Japan, including the one in Fukuoka, as well as at hotels overseas operated by or affiliated with the U.S. hotel chain.
The Inns and Hotels Law states that hotels cannot refuse stays to people unless they present such problems as suffering contagious diseases or being suspected of committing illegal acts.
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