Japan and U.S. to Continue Tariff Negotiations, Progress Made but No Agreement Yet

Economic revitalization minister Ryosei Akazawa stated that Japan will continue negotiations with the United States, aiming for an agreement during the upcoming Japan-U.S. summit at the G7 meeting in mid-June. Akazawa met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington, discussing tariff elimination, trade expansion, and economic security cooperation. Despite progress, no common ground was found. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba emphasized Japan's commitment to protecting national interests in these talks.