Japan is prioritising the safety of its nationals who are currently in Venezuela, Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Monday (January 5), days after the audacious U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and bombing of its capital.

“The Japanese government, under my instructions, is prioritising the safety of Japanese nationals while working closely with relevant countries to address the matter. The Japanese government has consistently emphasised the importance of restoring democracy in Venezuela as soon as possible,” Takaichi told the media during a news conference.

According to local media reports citing Japan's foreign ministry, there are currently some 160 Japanese nationals currently in Venezuela.

Takaichi's comments came just after she visited the Ise Jingu shrine in western Mie Prefecture for New Year's prayers, a tradition that most Japanese prime ministers partake in to mark the first business day of the year.

Takaichi also emphasised its alliance with the U.S., and that Japan is “open to various dialogues with China.”

Relations between Tokyo and Beijing have soured since Takaichi suggested in November that Tokyo could take military action if Beijing attacked Taiwan.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

ISE, MIE PREFECTURE, JAPAN (JANUARY 5, 2026) (JAPAN POOL - No use Japan)

1. OFFICIALS WALKING ON BRIDGE

2. JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER SANAE TAKAICHI, HOLDING PORTRAIT OF LATE FORMER PRIME MINISTER SHINZO ABE AND FLANKED BY OFFICIALS, INCLUDING DEFENSE MINISTER SHINJIRO KOIZUMI, WALKING ON BRIDGE / TAKAICHI HANDING PORTRAIT OF ABE TO OFFICIAL

3. TAKAICHI, FLANKED BY OFFICIALS, WALKING TOWARDS TRADITIONAL “TORI” GATE TO ISE JINGU SHINTO SHRINE

4. TAKAICHI, WALKING WITH SHINTO PRIEST AND OFFICIALS, WAVING AND WALKING UP STAIRS TO ISE JINGU SHRINE

5. TAKAICHI AND OFFICIALS WALKING UP STAIRS

6. VARIOUS OF TAKAICHI, OFFICIALS, AND SHINTO PRIEST WALKING TO MAIN HALL OF ISE JINGU SHRINE

7. TAKAICHI AND OFFICIALS BOWING AND CLAPPING THEIR HANDS TWICE BEFORE OFFERING PRAYER, BOWING AND WALKING AWAY

8. TAKAICHI, FOLLOWING BEHIND SHINTO PRIEST, WALKING AWAY WITH OFFICIALS

9. TAKAICHI WALKING TO PODIUM FOR NEWS CONFERENCE

10. (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER, SANAE TAKAICHI, SAYING:

“In response to the situation in Venezuela, the Japanese government, under my instructions, is prioritising the safety of Japanese nationals while working closely with relevant countries to address the matter. The Japanese government has consistently emphasised the importance of restoring democracy in Venezuela as soon as possible.”

11. NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS

12. (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER, SANAE TAKAICHI, SAYING:

“In regard to the United States, we have always maintained close communication at various levels, including between myself and President Trump, which was (reflected) in my recent phone call with President Trump from about two days ago. The U.S. government, on similar occasions, has repeatedly demonstrated unwavering commitment to the Japan-U.S. alliance at various levels.”

13. NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS

14. (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER, SANAE TAKAICHI, SAYING:

“Japan is open to various dialogues with China. We are not closing the door to such discussions. Based on this stance, we will continue to maintain communication with the Chinese side and respond appropriately from the perspective of our national interests.”

15. TAKAICHI LEAVING NEWS CONFERENCE