The Japanese government remains silent on US President Donald Trump's recent remark that the country will leave the World Health Organization, in stark contrast to immediate calls by the European Union for Washington to reconsider the matter.

Tokyo sees it as unwise to make critical comments regarding Trump's decision as it apparently reflects heightened tensions between Washington and Beijing.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said at a press conference Tuesday that the Japanese government will refrain from commenting on Trump's remark, as well as on the EU's response.

"The international community needs to act as one and take measures against the novel coronavirus, which is spreading around the world," the top Japanese government spokesman said.

Japan and the EU have been working on maintaining international unity even though the United States and China have been trading jabs over initial responses to the pandemic.

At the WHO's annual meeting in mid-May, Japan, the EU and others jointly called for a fair, independent and comprehensive evaluation of global responses to the virus, a proposal that was adopted unanimously.

However, moves by Tokyo and Brussels fell out of sync after Trump announced Friday that the United States will cut ties with the global organization.

EU leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, released on Saturday a statement urging Trump to reconsider, while the Japanese government stayed mum on the matter despite one senior official complaining that Trump is "too impetuous."

Many in the Japanese government believe that Trump made the decision as part of his strategy for reelection this autumn, seeking to capitalize on anti-Chinese sentiment. It will take a while for the United States to formally exit the WHO due to domestic legal constraints, so the focus is now on how Trump will respond to the EU's plea, sources said.

"If we admonish (Trump), it may lead to cracks in Japan-U.S. relations," one government source said.

JIJI Press