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Japan Forward
08-08-2025
- Business
- Japan Forward
US Concessions on Tariffs Offer Relief but Uncertainty Lingers in Japan
As President Donald Trump's new reciprocal tariffs took effect on August 7, concern mounted in Japan over what some saw as a departure from the terms of a recent trade deal. Under the July 23 agreement, all Japanese imports to the US will face a baseline tariff of 15%, with certain sector-specific exceptions. But the agreement does not mention a "no-stacking clause," meaning that, in theory, multiple tariffs could be applied cumulatively on top of existing tariffs. An executive order signed by Trump on July 31 and a Federal Register notice published August 6 have fueled suspicions that a no-stacking clause was applied to the European Union but excluded Japan, despite both reaching a similar deal with Washington. If Japanese exports are subject to an additional 15% tariff on top of existing duties, some products could see a sharp price increase in the US market. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (left) speaks at the Comprehensive Response Headquarters for US Tariff Measures. At right is Minister for Economic Revitalization Ryosei Akazawa. July 25 (©Sankei by Hideyuki Matsui) According to some reports, Japanese textiles previously taxed at 7.5% could be hit with a combined rate of 22.5%. Tariffs on Japanese beef may rise as high as 41.4%. A separate accord to reduce tariffs on Japanese automobiles from 27.5% to 15% also remains unimplemented. Though both governments announced their commitment, no detailed timeline has been set. Seeking clarity, Ryosei Akazawa, Tokyo's chief trade negotiator, is visiting Washington. After meeting with US counterparts on Thursday, Akazawa said the American side had promised to amend the executive order affecting Japan so the reciprocal tariffs would not be stacked, and that any tariffs paid above 15% would be refunded retroactively, according to media reports. US President Donald Trump and Japan's Economic Revitalization Minister Ryosei Akazawa during tariff negotiations. The White House posted this on X (formerly Twitter) on July 22. The latest dispute has also highlighted broader tensions, including differing perspectives on Japan's $550 billion USD investment in the US. While the White House characterized the funds as "our money," Tokyo stressed that these investments must ultimately serve the interests of the Japanese economy. It remains unclear whether the latest talks covered investment issues and the implementation of reduced auto tariffs. Back home, criticism is growing over the Shigeru Ishiba government's failure to secure a formal written agreement, leaving it vulnerable to contradictory interpretations. "Even written agreements can be subject to different interpretations," said Long Ke, an economist and senior fellow at the Tokyo Foundation. "But if everything was based on verbal concessions, misunderstandings were almost inevitable." Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and US President Donald Trump shake hands after their summit in the Oval Office on February 7. (©Kyodo) The recent episode has also raised doubts about the Japanese government's handling of relations with Washington amid the increasingly unpredictable diplomacy of the Trump era. Prime Minister Ishiba is already under pressure to step down after his party's crushing defeat in the July Upper House election. A drawn-out tariff standoff could further sharpen those calls. Author: Kenji Yoshida
NHK
04-07-2025
- Business
- NHK
Japan to continue talks with US for mutually beneficial trade deal
A Japanese government spokesperson says the country will continue sincere discussions to seek a mutually beneficial deal in tariff talks with the United States. Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Tachibana Keiichiro made the comment on Friday after US President Donald Trump said his administration will start notifying countries about the tariff rates that will be imposed. Tachibana said the government will refrain from commenting on every remark from US government officials. He stressed that Japan's top trade negotiator, Economic Revitalization Minister Akazawa Ryosei, recently visited the US and the two countries agreed to continue sincere negotiations.
Bloomberg
20-06-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Japan Won't Fixate on July 9 in US Trade Talks, Akazawa Says
Japan won't fixate on the looming date that could see so-called reciprocal tariffs rise in its ongoing trade negotiations with the US, Tokyo's top negotiator said, signaling the Asian nation stands ready for the possibility that the talks will drag on. 'To avoid any misunderstanding, I would like to confirm that I have not said at all that July 9 is the deadline for negotiations between Japan and the US,' Economic Revitalization Minister Ryosei Akazawa told reporters on Friday in Tokyo. 'Japan and the US are in regular communication through various channels, and we will continue to consider what is most effective and engage in appropriate consultations.'
Japan Forward
17-06-2025
- Automotive
- Japan Forward
G7 Spotlight: Ishiba Urges Trump to Ease Tariffs
このページを 日本語 で読む In Kananaskis, on the border of Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies, Shigeru Ishiba met with United States President Donald Trump for 30 minutes on June 16. Their meeting took place on the side of the Group of Seven (G7) summit. Among the topics the two leaders discussed was the possibility of revising the high tariff measures imposed by the US administration. Following the meeting, Prime Minister Ishiba told the accompanying press corps that he would "continue to push forward with vigorous negotiations aimed at reaching an agreement that benefits both Japan and the United States." However, he added that it would be "difficult" to predict when such an agreement might be reached. When asked about the current status of the talks, Ishiba indicated that the negotiations remain challenging. "It's not something to be discussed until the negotiations are fully concluded." A major sticking point is the 25% additional tariffs on automobiles, an industry both countries regard as vital. Japan is pushing for these tariffs to be eliminated. However, the US side has shown little willingness to compromise, making a breakthrough at the summit unlikely. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba answers reporters' questions after his meeting with US President Donald Trump. Minister in Charge of Economic Revitalization, Ryosei Akazawa, is on the left. June 16, Kananaskis, western Canada (Pool photo / Kyodo News). Moving forward, the key question is whether the two sides managed to find any common ground. Potential areas of agreement include lowering the tariff rate and reducing the 24% reciprocal tariffs currently imposed on Japan, or extending the suspension period. Ishiba emphasized, also emphasized the importance of the auto sector. "Automobiles represent a major national interest.," he said. "We will do everything in our power to defend that interest." The prime minister also revealed that both sides had agreed to continue ministerial-level talks. These discussions will involve the Minister in Charge of Economic Revitalization, Ryosei Akazawa, and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, with the aim of advancing negotiations beyond the summit. (Read a related article in Japanese here .) Author: The Sankei Shimbun このページを 日本語 で読む
NHK
02-06-2025
- Business
- NHK
Japan government arranging for chief negotiator trip to US for tariff talks
Japan's government is arranging for the country's chief tariff negotiator to travel to the United States for the third straight week starting Thursday. This would be Economic Revitalization Minister Akazawa Ryosei's fifth trip to Washington for ministerial tariff talks. Akazawa said he will have thorough discussions with his US counterparts and do everything he can to pave the way for a deal. The minister said Japan cannot afford further delays, as the auto sector, a pillar of the nation's economy, started suffering losses. He said the fastest way to resolve the situation is for US President Donald Trump's administration to review the tariffs it imposed on Japan. The Japanese government is exploring negotiation strategies in a bid to pave the way for the two countries' leaders to strike a deal on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in Canada in mid-June. Officials, however, said they are committed to prioritizing national interests. Akazawa said he would "make haste slowly." A senior foreign ministry official said the summit could mark a milestone, but it is not a deadline.
