FX.co ★ Japan Seeks Ministerial Tariff Talks

Japan is making concerted efforts to arrange high-level tariff discussions with the United States, with the aim of organizing talks between negotiator Ryosei Akazawa and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during his upcoming visit to Osaka next week, as reported by the Yomiuri newspaper. Tokyo is eager to conduct its first domestic round of tariff negotiations, following seven previous discussions held in Washington. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reiterated Japan's resolve to secure a "mutually beneficial deal" in light of President Trump's imposition of 25% tariffs on Japanese imports effective August 1. The Japanese government is hopeful for a preliminary phone conversation and face-to-face meetings between Akazawa and Bessent, which may include a direct dialogue between Prime Minister Ishiba and Secretary Bessent. Bessent is slated to participate in the U.S. "National Day" event on July 19 at Expo 2025.