Japan Urges Trump to Amend Tariffs Amid Fears for Auto Industry

TOKYO – Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Thursday called on US President Donald Trump to revise his executive order imposing steep new tariffs, as Washington’s 15% tariff on Japanese exports officially took effect. The move has sparked growing concerns in Tokyo over its potential impact on Japan’s key industries, particularly the automotive sector.

In a parallel diplomatic effort, Japan’s chief tariff negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, traveled to Washington earlier this week to press for a swift reduction in US auto tariffs. Speaking to a parliamentary committee before his trip, Akazawa emphasized that his mission was to ensure alignment on the terms of the recent bilateral trade agreement between the two nations.

Despite Japan’s expectation of eased restrictions under that deal, a White House official stated Wednesday that Japanese imports would not receive any special treatment. This contradicts Tokyo’s understanding of the agreement, which included a US commitment to lower auto tariffs from 27.5% to 15% in exchange for a $550 billion Japanese investment pledge in the US. With Toyota, Honda, and other automakers deeply reliant on the American market, extended tariff hikes could significantly affect Japan’s economy.