Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's top trade negotiator, is scheduled to depart for the US this week to begin a third round of trade negotiations with the Trump administration.
“Our position remains unchanged in strongly requesting a review of the series of US tariff measures,” Akazawa says.
“We will engage in discussions with a frank and constructive attitude to reach a mutually beneficial agreement as soon as possible”.
Following the US's first agreement with the UK and a tariff truce with China, Japan, which was initially thought to be in the driver's seat to reach an early deal, now seems to be lagging behind other countries. Akazawa is scheduled to return to Japan this Sunday.
The meeting's specifics, including who from the US side will participate, are still being worked out, according to Akazawa.
He is scheduled to meet with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, according to local media sources. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is not slated to attend.
According to a Yomiuri daily article, Akazawa intends to visit Washington once more on May 30 in order to meet with Bessent.
US President Donald Trump has hit Japan with a 10 percent general tariff and a 25 percent tax on steel, aluminum, and automobiles.
Without a trade agreement, the latter is expected to go back to its initial 24 percent in early July.
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According to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Japan would not risk its national interests by hastily entering into a settlement or reaching an arrangement that ignores the car levy.