Japan's chief trade negotiator will leave for the United States Wednesday for talks aimed at convincing U.S. President Donald Trump to remove tariff measures against the East Asian country, officials said Tuesday.
Economic Revitalization Minister Ryosei Akazawa will be in Washington until Friday for talks with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, according to Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi.
The visit is to “build a relationship of trust” between the two sides, with Japan requesting the U.S. side to drop the tariff measures, Hayashi said. “The government will tackle the challenge and work as one so that we can resolve the issue as soon as possible.”
Japan is among the first countries to start negotiations with the U.S.
“I will carefully think what will best serve Japan's national interest, what will be most effective and do my utmost in the negotiation,” Akazawa told reporters Tuesday.
Trump last week abruptly announced a 90-day pause on the latest series of duties, which put Japan's 24% across-the-board on hold, but the 10% baseline tariff and a 25% tariff on cars, auto parts, steel and aluminum exports to the U.S. are kept in place.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba described the situation as “a national crisis.”
Ishiba, however, told a parliamentary session Monday that “haste makes waste” and that he was in no rush to conclude the negotiations with the U.S. He also said Japan is not retaliating with tariffs against the United States, saying the measures weren't beneficial.
With concerns rising that U.S. tariffs may deal a serious blow to Japan's economy, Ishiba's government seeks to cooperate and exchange views with other countries that support free trade and multilateralism.
Later Monday, Ishiba held telephone talks with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong about the impact of U.S. tariffs on the two major Asian economies. Ishiba also held phone talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer last week.
Japan, China and South Korea held talks in March just before Trump's tariffs went into effect, emphasizing their support for free trade and cooperation, with China expressing enthusiasm to push forward negotiations toward setting up their trilateral trade framework.
© https://japantoday.com/category/business/asian-shares-are-mostly-higher-after-trump-eases-some-of-his-tariffs-on-electronics-for-now
44 Comments
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HappySmiles
Shouldn't he be accompanied by Akie Abe, the widow of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe?
Yrral
Trump is crazy,these Tariff do.not benefits the US ,China surplus is peanut compared to what American lost
Simon Foston
HappySmilesToday 06:45 am JST
No. Why should he be? She's not a Diet member, a diplomat or a civil servant, so what role would she have in any negotiations?
sakurasuki
What Japan need to do, not only negotiate but also lower tariffs that Japan currently has. People in Japan need to pay 700% for imported rice.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/03/12/japan/japan-rice-tariffs/
https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/India/100-tariff-from-india-700-from-japan-white-house-shows-receipts-ahead-of-liberation-day/ar-AA1C1xCU
HappySmiles
Right. If her visit to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence didn’t help a few months ago, why would it help now?
Peter Neil
770,000 tons (tons!) of rice is imported per year duty free. The US exports 350,000 tons (tons!) of rice to Japan ever year duty free before tariffs are applied.
Tell the truth, the whole truth.
deanzaZZR
Japan produces over 10,000,000 tonnes (!) of rice each year.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_rice_production
Tell the truth, the whole truth.
quercetum
It doesn’t matter who you send. Unless Japan returns to its glory days of the bubble era growth, the U.S. will only see it as a subordinate.
quercetum
The late PM Abe was the strongest Japan had to offer to challenge the U.S. No one came close to Abe, but even he was like a caddy in Trump’s eyes.
Peter Neil
How about the US drop the 25% tariff on light and pickup trucks? Or 50% on leather?
TokyoLiving
The samurais would roll in their graves by watch modern Japan's servility..
TokyoLiving
Dear Japan, learn from China !!!!...
Have some dignity !!!..
dbsaiya
Hayashi said to "build a relationship of trust." That is a non-starter because he's a convicted felon, and a con that can't be trusted. Two things at stake for Japan. The obvious is the economics, and the other is coming out with their integrity and not showing any subservience. If they lose on these two, Trump will demand for more in the future, and Japan will further lose credibility on the world stage.
Some dude
Interesting seeing the opposing approaches taken by Japan and China. Japan's trying to be diplomatic and "nice", and China's just flipping the bird because they know they can hurt the US if push comes to shove.
I reckon I know which approach will win out in both the short and long term.
deanzaZZR
Pretty much the most thankless job imaginable. Good luck Ryosei Akazawa.
Ricky Kaminski13
If looks could kill, this bloke would be serving sandwiches. Probably a deliberately chosen photo though for effect.
Good luck Mr Hayashi. Do what you have to do for Japan. You still have some very strong cards to play, so play them well.
Meiyouwenti
“Build a relationship of trust”? It’s the US that destroyed the trust by unilaterally imposing tariffs on imports. If Akagi, as a representative of a vassal state, is going to the master country to offer tributes to gain favorable treatment, don’t go.
RYSVoice
Just another ass kisser beggin for mercy ,that's the image of Trump
carpslidy
American rice could be free I'd still buy Japanese rice
Ford's could be cheaper than Toyota's but they'd still be too big for the local roads
And, forget about American beef with all the hormones they pump into cows
Garthgoyle
Requesting is not how to prepare for his meeting. He needs to come with a set of cards to negotiate, rather than with a set of "please understand our unique situation." I understand Japan wants to keep the "friendly" relationship with US. But look at what that got you in early 1990's.
HopeSpringsEternal
He's not the only one in the US now trying to reach trade deals with US, regarding lowering these trading partner's countries Lowering their tariff and non-tariff barriers.
DJT has real leverage, with new tariffs in place, voters supporting trade 'reciprocity' and MANY new $incentives for companies to re-shore to US including taxes, lower energy costs, regulations, no F/X risk OR tariffs etc.
Yrral
This what happens when you become a third rate country, having to grovel to bottom feeders like Trump
stickman1760
He should give Trump a gold samurai hat. Gifts and praise, gifts and praise. Like dealing with a two year old.
Wasabi
Can be translated by "kissing my ass" as this is what trump like. He just need to be able I won something...
u_s__reamer
All Akazawa needs to do is work on kissing...
Blacklabel
“Honda considers moving some Mexico, Canada production to US due to tariffs”
nishikat
Hey Trump people. How much are tariffs from China to Japan? Hint. Have you ever been to a Daiso?
CS
It couldn't be farther from the truth, there is a method to this madness.
Cephus
Itteirashai, wishing you all the best.
8T
He looks more Presidential than Ishiba san, that's for sure. Let's hope he knows how to sit at the table.
KazukoHarmony
Snarky, snarky! @HappySmiles elicited a smile.
Tamarama
Well, I hope he's not going over there to suck up to them.
Yrral
Gullible Traveler, Japanese that do not stand for something,are Japanese that will fall for anything , especially a person like Trump
chatanista
Good luck, sure won't be easy negotiating with Trump admin.
elephant200
He is going to pay ransom to the thieves blackmailing !
HopeSpringsEternal
Entire world benefits from US 'reshoring' manufacturing to global strengthen supplies away from especially China and Taiwan.
World also benefits from DJT's reciprocal tariff pressure, that will result in lower global tariff and non-tariff barriers, helping ALL Consumers MOST businesses with lower prices, market access, and added economic growth!
Only real winners from high tariff and non-barriers, are those few companies and their political and bureaucratic $partners $benefitting at everyone else's expense!
geronimo2006
Now might be a good time for Japan to sell some of the mountain of US debt it holds. Then watch the orange thing do the flip-flop. Like the UK, the US will want to keep Japan onside and will negotiate accordingly. The last thing Trump can afford is Japan and others joining China's response.
OssanAmerica
Of what relevance is a domestic production amount?
China's produces 210 to 215 million tones of rice equating to roughly 28% of global rice production. OK, so what?
sakurasuki
@Peter Neil
@deanzaZZR
Here's another truth, JGovt said the numbers (700%) that being showed by Washington is outdated but Japan never shared detailed version of correct number.
Another truth the fact the rice price in Japan already doubled, however the rice price globally aren't doubled so it's Japan only problem.
Today there's govt panel that urges that should be more tariffs free price, who really set tariffs for rice that being entered into Japan?
https://japantoday.com/category/national/gov't-panel-urges-more-tariff-free-rice-be-used-for-human-consumption
elephant200
Japan will pay more "Protection Money" to the mafia style Trump administration. They have been doing this ransom paying since Ronald Regan'era. What can Japan do to appease her master? Yes pays more and more and so on...
Japan is in a very danger circumstance, the most dangerous thing is not a war with neighbors but the imminent natural disaster.Japan will be highly suffering from a massive earthquake or tsunami.If that occurs with hundred of thousands or half a million people deaths, only the US has the logistic capability to save Japan from destruction. That's why the Japanese government must appeasing America the master in all forms even betrayal of her own people !
deanzaZZR
@OA It clearly shows that imported rice comprises a very small share of Japan's rice market. More imports can help lower prices to benefit Japanese consumers.
deanzaZZR
"The Republican president said in a post on his social media platform that he will attend the meeting alongside US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, top economic advisers with a central role in his trade and tariff policies ...
“Japan is coming in today to negotiate Tariffs, the cost of military support, and ‘TRADE FAIRNESS,’” Trump posted on Wednesday."
https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3306821/trump-inserts-himself-japan-tariff-talks-chinas-xi-seeks-asia-deals?utm_source=rss_feed
HopeSpringsEternal
Surely Japan's continued military expansion and reducing their reliance upon the US is very important.
Probably more important, Japan relying less on China for supply chains, nature of tech. transfers occurring there and ways for Japan to reshore more critical work in tech. away from China.
Two themes will thus be China and Technology, as that's the world we live in and DJT's dealing in reality, trying to end useless forever wars to better focus on this reality.
Nifty
"Buiding a relationship" is a good goal. "Trust" should be out of the picture with this president.