Japan asks U.S. not to slap higher tariffs in weeks befor…

Japan’s industry minister Ryosei Akazawa on Friday urged the United States not to impose higher tariffs than those agreed last year, as the two countries advance preparations for a meeting between their countries’ leaders later this month. Following talks wit…

Japan's industry minister Ryosei Akazawa on Friday urged the United States not to impose higher tariffs than those agreed last year, as the two countries advance preparations for a meeting between their countries' leaders later this month. Following talks with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington lasting about two hours, Akazawa told reporters they also discussed the next round of joint business projects, as well as cooperation in the strategically important fields of energy, critical minerals and artificial intelligence.

With Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi set to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on March 19, the minister said the two countries will continue to work closely to make her visit "fruitful." The U.S. Commerce Department said on social media that the two sides reaffirmed a "shared commitment to building on" last month's deal on the first set of projects selected under a $550 billion investment pledge that Tokyo made in the summer of 2025 following months of tariff negotiations.

The meeting between Akazawa, minister of economy, trade and industry, and Lutnick came after the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated Trump's sweeping global tariffs about two weeks ago. Despite Trump's legal defeat over a large chunk of his far-reaching tariff agenda, Japan has shown a willingness to follow the terms of a trade agreement it reached with the United States in July last year. Under the deal, Japan promised to invest $550 billion in U.S.-based strategic industries by the end of Trump's second term in January 2029, in return for his administration lowering tariffs on Japanese imports.

A few days before the top court's ruling, Japan and the United States announced the first three projects, valued at $36 billion, including building a gas-fired generating facility in Ohio, the largest of its kind in U.S. history, to power AI data centers. Among the second batch of projects under discussion is the construction of small modular reactors for AI data centers, according to officials familiar with the matter.

Meanwhile, the confusion over Trump's tariff strategy has intensified following the Supreme Court ruling. A new 10 percent global tariff intended to temporarily replace the invalidated duties, which Trump announced shortly after the legal defeat, took effect on Feb. 24, relying on a different statute. Trump and senior administration officials have said the rate of the new blanket tariff will be raised to 15 percent, and they will consider more durable country-by-country duties while imposing the temporary levy, set to last 150 days.

On Friday, Akazawa, when he met the press, said he requested that the United States not subject Japanese imports to the envisaged 15 percent tariff or other potentially higher duties in the future. Under the trade deal prior to the court's decision, Japanese imports were subject to a 15 percent country-specific tariff. Japan ultimately received "no-stacking" special treatment from the Trump administration, under which imports from the country with preexisting tariffs of 15 percent or higher were exempt from further levies, while duties on other items were at 15 percent.

Skip the crowds. Enjoy tailor-made cultural journeys with our trusted licensed guides. Japan is famous for doing things efficiently, if not downright bureaucratically, so it is a little surprising how inefficient booking a private guide can be. Travelers often end up juggling emails, waiting for confirmations, and trying to find a guide who is both qualified and enthusiastic. Fairly sure the predator in the white house doesn't go for women in their mid-60s.

Paying the 550 billion ransom to ease 10%of tariffs. But 10% higher tariffs in coming months and more than 25% of tariffs in coming years. No wonder why America sees Takaichi-san is a wonderul "Stragetic partnership" when the appetite of Donald Trump is never enough ! Doesn’t Akazawa realize that he’ll get a better deal, if he wears the red MAGA cap like last time? Japan and the culture here is heavily influenced by face saving.

It runs on face‑saving the way some people run on coffee and complaints. It’s unimaginable to slap tariffs on Takaichi like a welcome drink for her arrival. That’s the kind of move that would make a Tokyo bureaucrat choke on his green tea. If Trump is dead‑set on playing tough, at least wait until after the photo ops and polite bows. Hit her with the bill once the farewell speeches are done and the jet’s wheels are off the ground.

That’s how you keep the peace without pretending you like the game. According to a survey by nongovernmental organization Save the Children Japan, over 90% of low-income households with children in Japan face food insecurity as rising prices continue to strain finances. Japan's medical system is on the brink of a major shift in how childbirth is handled. And you need to feel sorry for all those hardworking Japanese taxpayers, when the Tokyo government – instead of dealing with more important national issues, is pressed by the United States of America to invest 550 billion dollars, a huge amount, to benefit only Washington's economic interests.  On top of that the Trump administration is forcing the premier Takaichi to buy billions of dollars worth of US military equipment, supporting the profits of the usual lobbies in Wall Street.

And you need to feel sorry for all those hardworking Japanese taxpayers, when the Tokyo government – instead of dealing with more important national issues, is pressed by the United States of America to invest 550 billion dollars, a huge amount, to benefit only Washington's economic interests.  Japan’s economy is supposed to be the world’s fifth‑largest, yet all those millions of people dragging themselves out of bed every morning, packing into rush‑hour trains like sardines with briefcases, grinding through another polite, overworked day… and what do they squeeze out of it?

About $26 billion dollars in new gdp growth. Thats all. So now someone floats the idea of Japan dropping $550 billion dollars—real money — into the US economy or else tariffs go up. Sure. Why not. If you’re going to shovel that kind of cash somewhere, you might as well toss it into a place where people already work themselves half to death for pennies on the dollar. If they do increase tariff, simply sell the Treasuries the same amount as the increase.

No need to hang onto money losing investments and don't worry about not being able to sell automobiles in US. The reality is that with job losses, 401Ks destroyed and hyper inflation coming due to Mideast War, no one has the money to buy cars anytime soon Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Summary

This report covers the latest developments in artificial intelligence. The information presented highlights key changes and updates that are relevant to those following this topic.

---