Venezuelan President Chavez to visit Japan in early April

Friday 20th March, 05:45 AM JST

TOKYO —

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez will visit Japan in early April to meet with Prime Minister Taro Aso, visiting Venezuelan energy minister Rafael Ramirez said Thursday. Ramirez announced Chavez’s planned visit when speaking to reporters after meeting with Aso at the prime minister’s office in Tokyo.

Ramirez told Aso that Chavez is looking forward to visiting Japan in the near future, a Foreign Ministry official said. Chavez is known for his anti-American stance. His visit to Japan would be his second following one in 1999, the year he took office, according to Japan’s Foreign Ministry. Chavez and Aso are expected to discuss measures to expand bilateral economic relations, including boosting Venezuelan exports to Japan and cooperation on LNG projects in Venezuela.

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13 Comments

ilcub76 at 08:28 AM JST - 20th March

Japan is soooooooo worried about their relations with the US, then let a nut like Chavez into the country. If this isn't two-faced, I don't know what is.
some14some at 08:40 AM JST - 20th March

If this isn't two-faced, I don't know what is.

Yes, it is two faced, Oil from Venezuela and LNG from Japan :)
timorborder at 11:20 AM JST - 20th March

Don't know, perhaps Japan is being used as conduit by which the US can indirectly keep a dialogue open with Chavez. God forbid Japan start following its own foreign policy agenda.
Dualta at 12:24 PM JST - 20th March

Viva Chavez!!! lol
mistersmarmy at 12:30 PM JST - 20th March

this is bizarre. I think that Chavez visited the UK a few years ago but it was only to see the ex London Mayor Ken Livingston who is a well known socialist. Dont think Chavez had any contact with people like Tony Blair so wy would Aso meet him?
Alan at 06:34 PM JST - 20th March

Chavez is a long-winded, loud-mouthed dictator who is ruining the economy of Venezuela. The King of Spain publicly told him to shut up. I hope the Emperor does the same.
mareo2 at 07:20 PM JST - 20th March

Why we dont close the door to these autoritarian populist?
sharky1 at 08:55 PM JST - 20th March

Now this is one dude that they seriously need to check for drugs!
PaulieWalnuts at 09:06 PM JST - 20th March

The King of Spain publicly told him to shut up. I hope the Emperor does the same.

would be nice but sadly total fantasy island
donkusai at 09:44 PM JST - 20th March

I don't see why it is so bizarre. He's the elected head of a government that Japan does business with. Why shouldn't Aso meet him? Sure he's a nut-case, but he's an elected nut-case, at least.
mistersmarmy at 11:29 PM JST - 20th March

donkusai, the Iranian president and many others like him are also 'elected heads' of governments, but do they go travelling around the world meeting developed countries head of states? I don't think so.... The political situation in Venezuela is pretty complex, please take this into consideration. its not such a black and white picture that you paint.
OssanAmerica at 11:30 AM JST - 21st March

He should visit. You never know what kind of intelligence can be gathered from such opportunities.
elbudamexicano at 12:53 PM JST - 23rd March

Venezuela is not a Banana Republic, it is a major supllier of oil to the USA and many other countries, if Venezuela where some backward country like Nicaragua or El Salvador, the the USA, the EU countries, Japan etc..would not even give it a importance, but now Chavez and his Chavistas are in power in Venezuela (with lots of help from Fidel Castro and the Cuban Communist regime in Havana.) Japan has nothing to loose by allowing President Chavez to visit, and maybe lots of oil, etc..to gain, so money talks and ...