On the 20th, local time, as the U.S. Supreme Court ruled reciprocal tariff illegal, Japan, which promised massive investment in the United States on the condition of tariff cuts, is taking a cautious stance.
On the 21st, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported that item-by-item tariff such as automobiles and steel and aluminum are not subject to this ruling, and that within the government, there is talk that "there is no change in investment in the United States."
In July last year, following the conclusion of the U.S.-Japan tariff negotiations, Japan drew up a $550 billion (about 794 trillion won) investment plan for the United States. Recently, it also announced that it would carry out three first-phase projects: manufacturing synthetic diamonds, exporting U.S. crude oil infrastructure, and gas-fired power generation.
A senior official at an economic ministry showed a cautious response, saying, "Although an illegal ruling has been handed down, it is expected that U.S. President Donald Trump will continue to impose tariff in other ways."
The Yomiuri Shimbun also conveyed a government official's remark that "investment in the United States also benefits Japan" and that "it will proceed despite this ruling that the reciprocal tariff is illegal."
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is also coordinating a plan to visit the United States next month for a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump. For this reason, it is a delicate situation to respond immediately.
However, it appears that corporations will proceed with lawsuits to recover reciprocal tariff already paid on a company-by-company basis.
In December last year, U.S. affiliates of Japanese corporations such as Sumitomo Chemical, Kawasaki Motors, and Toyota Tsusho filed a lawsuit with the U.S. Court of International Trade (USCIT) seeking a refund of tariff imposed and collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
The Nikkei predicted, "The number of Japanese corporations that take action, such as filing lawsuits with the U.S. Court of International Trade, is expected to increase."