Japan's negotiator to head to US for another round of tariff talks
Akazawa is scheduled to meet US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Friday, local time.
On Wednesday, Akazawa met with Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa, who coheads the government's tariff task force with him, to confirm how to proceed with the negotiations.
Akazawa told reporters that they discussed the final details and that he will negotiate firmly with the US side according to what was discussed.
Japan views that in order to make progress in the tariff talks, it is essential to win over Bessent, as President Donald Trump is said to have great confidence in him. Bessent did not attend the previous negotiations last week.
The Japanese government is making final arrangements for a new proposal. Based on Trump's previous remarks, it reportedly includes plans for expanding investment in the US and cooperation in shipbuilding.
Japan is also expected to propose measures to make it easier to import US vehicles as Trump has been calling for a reduction of the trade deficit between the countries.
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