Japan tiptoes around Trump’s Venezuela raid to avoid strain with US

Criticizing the U.S. strike in Venezuela could risk damaging Japan’s alliance with Washington, the cornerstone of its security policy. © AP

RIEKO MIKI

January 6, 2026 02:07 JST

TOKYO — The Japanese government is seeking to avoid taking a stance on Washington’s military operation in Venezuela, finding itself caught between its commitment to the Japan-U.S. alliance and its emphasis on the international rule of law, which it often cites when criticizing China and Russia.