Japan PM Takaichi avoids judging U.S. action in Venezuela

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a news conference at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tokyo, Japan, 17 December 2025. File. Photo by KIYOSHI OTA / EPA

Jan. 5 (Asia Today) — Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Sunday she would not endorse or criticize the U.S. military operation targeting Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro government, saying Japan would continue diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring democracy and stabilizing the situation.

In a post on X, Takaichi said Japan has consistently stressed the need for Venezuela to restore democratic governance as soon as possible and said Tokyo will respond in close coordination with partners including the Group of Seven and countries in the region.

Japan’s Foreign Ministry also issued a statement reiterating its long-held view that respect for international law is important. The ministry did not offer a direct assessment of the U.S. operation, as some overseas criticism has questioned whether the action violated international law.

A Foreign Ministry official said the operation was expected to have limited impact on Japan’s economy or security but said the government would closely monitor developments.

Takaichi said ensuring the safety of about 160 Japanese nationals living in Venezuela is a top priority.

Japan previously joined a Group of Seven statement last January criticizing Venezuela’s government and saying it lacked democratic legitimacy following a disputed presidential election. On the U.S. operation, however, Tokyo avoided taking a clear position.

Opposition parties criticized the government’s cautious approach.

Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, said at a news conference Sunday it was highly questionable whether the U.S. military action was legitimate under international law, warning it could be used to justify Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and could encourage similar actions in Asia.

Yuichiro Tamaki, head of the Democratic Party for the People, wrote on X that the norm of not tolerating changes to the status quo by force is eroding, adding that such actions risk shaking the international order.

Tomoko Tamura, chair of the Japanese Communist Party, said the Trump administration had no right to overthrow another country’s government by force.

Even within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, some lawmakers voiced concern. Koichi Onogi, chair of the party’s Security Affairs Committee, said it was inconsistent to criticize China and Russia for forceful changes to the status quo while failing to apply the same logic elsewhere.

Japanese media said the government appeared to be calibrating its language to avoid straining ties with the United States. Yomiuri Shimbun reported Venezuela is not a major trading partner for Japan and the impact on Japan’s national interests is limited. Asahi Shimbun reported Takaichi emphasized the rule of law but avoided a specific evaluation of U.S. actions, raising questions about Japan’s diplomatic consistency.

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI