Japan negotiator to depart for 8th round of tariff talks in US
Akazawa's trip through Thursday takes place as Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba comes under greater pressure to make a deal, with his ruling Liberal Democratic Party failing to retain its coalition majority in Sunday's House of Councillors election.
A detailed meeting schedule is still being arranged, but Akazawa aims to hold talks with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
Akazawa has pledged to prioritize the national interest and said before the election that the outcome "will not have any particular impact" on the talks.
Japan has so far failed to win tariff concessions from the United States.
Among tariff measures proving a sticking point in bilateral negotiations, and already implemented by Trump, is a 25 percent levy on imports of vehicles to the United States. It is seen as a serious blow to the Japanese economy's growth-driving auto sector.
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