Japan sets up taskforce following US strike against Venezuela

Following a US military strike against Venezuela, Japan’s government has set up a taskforce at the Japanese Embassy in Caracas to collect information and protect Japanese nationals living there.

The government also set up a response headquarters at Japan’s Foreign Ministry in Tokyo, headed by Ishize Motoyuki, the chief of the Latin American and Caribbean Affairs Bureau.

The ministry says about 160 Japanese nationals are living in Venezuela, and that so far there have been no reports of injuries or damage to property.

Since December 4, the ministry has been urging Japanese nationals to avoid all travel to Venezuela regardless of the purpose.

Japanese residents in the country have also been advised to consider, or prepare for evacuation.