Economic revitalization minister Toshimitsu Motegi suggested Thursday that Japan and the United States will aim to quickly conclude negotiations for a bilateral trade deal after a House of Councilors election in the summer.
"We agreed to achieve early results after the Upper House election," Motegi told reporters after meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer in Washington.
The comment was the first time Motegi has referred to a specific timetable for striking a bilateral trade agreement.