Japan Rejects Major Concessions Ahead of US Tariff Talks

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has affirmed that Japan will not make significant concessions in the upcoming tariff negotiations with the United States, which are set to begin on Thursday in Washington. Ishiba stressed the importance of understanding both the logical and emotional aspects of U.S. tariff policies, particularly those of President Trump. Economic Revitalization Minister Ryosei Akazawa will lead the talks, ensuring Japan's interests are prioritized, while also ruling out currency discussions, which he believes should remain with finance ministers. Despite the U.S. imposing a 24% tariff on Japanese exports, Japan seeks to establish a unique relationship with the U.S. that reflects their status as allies, and aims to secure preferential treatment rather than compromise unnecessarily. Meanwhile, Japan's officials have indicated they will not use their holdings of U.S. government debt as leverage during these negotiations. The overarching goal is to navigate the discussions carefully to avoid rushed decisions that could be detrimental to Japan's economic interests.