Japan intends to join upcoming talks between South Korea and the United States on Washington's restrictions on imports of steel pipe products, International Trade and Industry Minister Takashi Fukaya said Tuesday.
The two countries are set to discuss the issue under the auspices of the World Trade Organization, following South Korea's filing of a complaint with the Geneva-based trade watchdog earlier this month.
The U.S. says the measures they have imposed amount to safeguard restrictions.
Fukaya said at a news conference that the U.S. government's actions should be questioned under WTO rules because such measures should be taken only in exceptional circumstances.
In February, the U.S. slapped tariffs on wire rods and steel line pipes from South Korea, Japan, Brazil, Germany and other nations.
South Korea responded by filing a complaint with the WTO saying limits on line pipe imports violate the global trade body's rules.
Japan will be allowed to present its views as an observer during the talks between South Korea and the U.S. under WTO rules.