Japanese ministers are coordinating a visit to the United States as early as next week to discuss tariff issues, Japan's Kyodo News and NHK reported on the 10th.
According to reports, Ryohei Akazawa, the Minister of Economic Revitalization designated as the tariff negotiation official for Japan, is promoting plans to meet with Scott Berson, the Secretary of the Treasury, and Jamieson Greer, the U.S. Trade Representative, during his visit to the United States next week.
The Japanese government took a sigh of relief after U.S. President Donald Trump delayed reciprocal tariffs for 90 days but plans to request a review of the 25% tariff on automobiles and steel. Akazawa noted to reporters that he would strongly demand a review of the automobile tariffs.
The Japanese government is reportedly accelerating discussions on negotiation cards to present to the United States, including U.S. investments, easing non-tariff barriers, and expanding agricultural imports.
The Nikkei reported, "The Japanese government has already sent officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry to the United States to start coordinating towards the full-fledged negotiations," and stated that it plans to present energy and security as a policy package that includes expanding imports of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Earlier, on the 8th, the Japanese government defined the U.S. tariff measures as a 'national crisis' and established an intergovernmental task force headed by Shigeru Ishiba.