Japan is seeking ministerial-level tariff talks with the U.S. ahead of the August 1 deadline for new 25% U.S. tariffs on Japanese imports.
- Tokyo hopes to arrange meetings between its chief negotiator Ryosei Akazawa and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during Bessent’s visit to Japan for the World Expo on July 19.
- Japan also aims to secure a call prior to the meeting, and possibly a meeting between Prime Minister Ishiba and Bessent.
The reports come from Japanese media, Yomiuri.
Japan and the U.S. previously held ministerial tariff talks seven times in Washington.

Akazawa