Japan–Venezuela relations explained

Japan–Venezuela relations are bilateral relations between Japan and Venezuela. Formal diplomatic relations between the countries were established in August 1938.^[1] Venezuela broke off diplomatic ties with Japan (and the other Axis Powers) in December 1941, shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.^[2]

Japanese banks Marubeni and Mitsui loaned Venezuela $3.5 billion in 2007 to be repaid in oil. The Japan Bank for International Cooperation provided $1.89 billion in loans to support the banks.

Japan imported US$1 bn worth of goods from Venezuela in 2008, mainly aluminium, iron ore and cacao.^[3]

On 23 December 2009, Chavez threatened to expropriate Toyota Motor Corp.'s local assembly plant.^[4]

In February 2019, Japan recognized Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó as Venezuelan president, cutting off relations with the disputed government of left-wing Nicolás Maduro, the successor of late Hugo Chavez.^[5]

High-level visits

In 1999, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez made a three-day trip to Japan.

Hugo Chavez made another two-day trip in 2009, during which he met Prime Minister Taro Aso. During the trip they agreed to cooperate on oil and gas developments and form a committee to study financing development and exploration. Japan and Venezuela signed a dozen other accords as part of Chavez's visit.^[6]

See also

• Foreign relations of Japan
• Foreign relations of Venezuela
• Japanese Venezuelan

Sources

• News: Japanese, Venezuelan leaders agree to deepen ties . https://web.archive.org/web/20090409084524/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iqdXfcESCEotjJbs-Ydbz0RPGkiwD97CSTSO4 . dead . April 9, 2009 . Yamaguchi . Mari . Yahoo News . April 6, 2009.
• News: Japan, Venezuela sign broad oil, gas cooperation . https://archive.today/20130104142508/http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKT15426520090406 . dead . January 4, 2013 . April 6, 2009 . Reuters UK . Chang-Ran . Kim.
• News: VENEZUELA BREAKS WITH AXIS REGIMES; Move Hailed as Evidence of Nation's Faithfulness to American Obligations BRAZIL REAFFIRMS STAND Vargas Declares All Doubts Were Resolved by Attack on the United States . January 1, 1942 . New York Times.
• News: Japan: Venezuelan President Chavez arrives for three-day visit . October 13, 1999. Kyodo News Service, Tokyo.

External links

• Japan-Venezuela Relations from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
• Official website of The Embassy of Venezuela in Japan

Notes and References

1. http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/latin/venezuela/index.html Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan: Japan-Venezuelan relations
2. https://www.nytimes.com/1942/01/01/archives/venezuela-breaks-with-axis-regimes-move-hailed-as-evidence-of.html "Venezuela Breaks with Axis Regimes," New York Times, Jan. 1, 1942
3. Web site: Japan-Venezuela Relations.
4. Web site: Venezuela's President Threatens Toyota, GM . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230528063256/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704039704574615990386867578?mod=rss_whats_news_us . 2023-05-28 . live .
5. Web site: Japan recognizes Guaido as Venezuelan president.
6. News: Japan, Venezuela to Cooperate on Oil, Gas Projects (Update3) . Bloomberg . 6 April 2009.