Japan Press Weekly

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2026 January 21 - 27 [POLITICS]

JCP EC Chair Tamura at press club debates foreign policy with PM Takaichi

A debate involving the leaders of seven parties, including Japanese Communist Party Executive Committee Chair Tamura Tomoko, took place at the Japan National Press Club on January 26, the day before the official start of campaigning for the general election with voting on February 8. During the discussion on foreign policy, Tamura engaged in a heated exchange with LDP President Takaichi Sanae.

Tamura pointed out that the U.S. Trump administration’s “rule by force” is of grave concern as it negates and undermines the international order of peace, and that many countries are increasingly criticizing it.

Tamura, in regard to the U.S. invasion of Venezuela, emphasized, “No matter what reason there might be, the armed invasion of a sovereign nation and the kidnapping and detention of its leader must not be permitted.”

Tamura also noted that U.S. President Trump is aiming to take control of the Danish territory of Greenland and brushing aside the rule of law by declaring, “I don’t need international law.” She criticized the Japanese government led by Prime Minister Takaichi for failing to condemn the Trump administration’s rule by force.

Tamura pressed PM Takaichi, asking why she does not criticize President Trump’s power politics. Takaichi insisted, “In my understanding, it is ‘deterrence’ through strength.”

Even the moderator questioned Takaichi, asking “Are you using the term ‘deterrence’ to conveniently describe that move as deterrence?”

In response, Takaichi said that she was merely quoting the term used in the U.S. National Defense Strategy (NDS), yet she did not mention that the U.S. invasion of Venezuela violates international law.

The moderator then asked, “With international frameworks in crisis, is it acceptable for a Japanese prime minister to remain silent (on the issue of the U.S. claim to sovereignty over Greenland)?” Takaichi replied, “I have my own thoughts on the matter, but I cannot reveal them for diplomatic reasons,” and refused to give a clear answer.