Japan said it is watching the situation after the United States arrested Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on the 3rd local time and transferred him to New York.
On the afternoon of the 4th, Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement under the name of the Spokesperson, "We will monitor the situation and respond with top priority on securing the safety of Japanese nationals," and "We will work closely with relevant countries to respond, including gathering information."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "The Japanese government has appealed that it is important for democracy to be restored in Venezuela as soon as possible," and "We have long respected the fundamental values of freedom and democracy and consistently emphasized adherence to the principles of international law in the international community."
It added, "Based on this position, we will pursue diplomatic efforts for the restoration of democracy in Venezuela and the stabilization of the situation."
It also said a liaison office has been set up at the ministry and an on-site task force has been established at the Japanese Embassy in Venezuela to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals staying in Venezuela, adding, "At this time, there is no information on harm to Japanese nationals."
The U.S. military operation became known on the 3rd in Japan time in the afternoon. The foreign ministry's statement came almost 24 hours later. Through the statement, the Japanese government emphasized the general position of "restoration of democracy" and said it would watch the situation, taking a cautious stance. It is seen as having difficulty expressing a specific position from the dual perspectives of international law and the U.S.-Japan relationship.
Meanwhile, many Japanese media assessed that the United States prioritized national interest over international law in this operation. Nikkei said, "The U.S. attack on Venezuela clearly revealed the Trump administration's stance that it will not hesitate to use force against other countries to secure national interests," adding, "There is a high possibility that criticism will pour in at home and abroad."
Asahi Shimbun also said, "There is a possibility of violating international law," and, "Forcibly pushing ahead with the ouster of President Maduro through military power is feared to damage the international order."