The government may soon notify the World Trade Organization of its plans to consider measures against higher tariffs imposed by the U.S. on steel imports, according to sources close to the matter.
Japan has been lobbying the United States, its key ally, to exempt it from President Donald Trump's decision to impose higher tariffs in the interest of "national security". But the request has not yet been met.
For its part, the Tokyo apparently seeks to make its stance clear and advance future ministerial negotiations with an eye to gaining leverage.