Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi avoided criticizing U.S. President Donald Trump's military strikes on Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolas Maduro on Sunday. Tokyo is grappling with how to respond to a move widely seen as violating international law.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sidestepped direct criticism of the U.S. actions in a post on X on Sunday. "Japan has consistently respected fundamental values and principles such as freedom, democracy and the rule of law," she said.
She added, "In response to the situation in Venezuela, the Japanese government, under my direction, is prioritizing the safety of Japanese nationals above all else while closely coordinating with relevant countries." The statement came hours after other Group of Seven leaders had weighed in.
Some Japanese officials, including former defense minister Itsunori Onodera, have voiced concerns over the U.S. toppling of President Nicolas Maduro and the precedent it could set for China. Keywords associated with the event include U.S.-Japan relations, U.S., Venezuela, Donald Trump, Nicolas Maduro, defense, China, Taiwan, and the People's Liberation Army. The report was published on January 4, 2026.
