Japan–Venezuela relations
Bilateral relations
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
