Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has addressed the recent large-scale military attack by the United States on Venezuela and the subsequent detention of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. In a post on her X (formerly Twitter) account on January 4th, Kishida stated that the Japanese government, under her direction, is prioritizing the safety of Japanese nationals in Venezuela while coordinating closely with related countries.
“Following the situation in Venezuela, the Japanese government, under my instruction, is prioritizing the safety of Japanese citizens while coordinating closely with related countries,” Kishida wrote. She further emphasized Japan’s consistent position on the importance of restoring democracy in Venezuela “as soon as possible.”
Kishida affirmed Japan’s commitment to values such as freedom, democracy and the rule of law, stating that the government will continue to work with partners in the G7 and regional countries to protect Japanese citizens and contribute to diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring democracy and stabilizing the situation in Venezuela.
The Prime Minister refrained from commenting on the legality of the U.S. Military operation, despite growing concerns from international observers regarding potential violations of international law. Bloomberg reported on January 5th that Kishida reiterated her commitment to diplomatic efforts while avoiding a direct assessment of the military action.
The response from within Japan has been cautious, with concerns expressed over potential repercussions and the need for careful diplomatic maneuvering. Yahoo! News Japan reported on January 5th that online commentary reflected anxieties about Kishida’s potential statements, with users worried she might “say something unnecessary” given the sensitive nature of the situation and the potential for further escalation. The report noted concerns about possible international law violations related to the actions of U.S. President Donald Trump.
MSN Japan reported on January 4th that Kishida’s statement came in response to reports of the U.S. Attack and the detention of Maduro and his wife. The Nikkan Sports reported on the same day that this marked Kishida’s first public statement regarding the military action.
As of January 5th, the Kishida administration has not offered a specific assessment of the U.S. Military intervention, maintaining a focus on citizen safety and diplomatic engagement. The government continues to coordinate with international partners, but has not signaled any intention to independently investigate the legality of the U.S. Actions.
