Tag - u.s.-japan-relations

 
 

U.S. JAPAN RELATIONS

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba shows off a gift from U.S. President Donald Trump as they hold a joint news conference at the White House on Feb. 7.
JAPAN
May 25, 2025
Prime Minister Ishiba aims to advance U.S. tariff talks with G7 summit in mind
Speaking to reporters in Kyoto, Ishiba said there has been progress in negotiations, pointing to discussions on trade expansion, nontariff measures and economic security.
SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son has proposed setting up a U.S.-Japan sovereign wealth fund to make large investments in technology and infrastructure, according to the Financial Times.
BUSINESS / Companies
May 25, 2025
Softbank’s Son floats idea of U.S.-Japan sovereign wealth fund, report says
SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son has discussed the plan with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, although it hasn’t been formally proposed.
An employee of Kyowa Industrial walks next to the company's factory in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture, in April.
BUSINESS / Companies
May 24, 2025
Tariff crossfire hits Toyota, Nissan and Ford suppliers in Japan
Thousands of small and midsize makers of auto parts in Japan, including suppliers for Toyota and Nissan, are facing a crisis as U.S. tariffs threaten their bottom lines.
Honda's assembly plant in Greensburg, Indiana, seen Friday, makes the hybrid and gasoline versions of its popular CR-V SUV and flagship Civic.
BUSINESS / Companies
May 24, 2025
Honda to boost hybrid vehicle production in U.S.
The automaker will also expand procurement of U.S.-made vehicle parts, including batteries for hybrid vehicles.
A worker walks near a fishing vessel under maintenance at the Kidoura Zosen K.K. shipyard in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture.
BUSINESS
May 24, 2025
Japan looks to use U.S. shipbuilding cooperation as card in tariff talks
By highlighting its cooperative stance toward the United States, the Japanese government hopes to fend off U.S. tariffs.
Ryosei Akazawa, Japan’s chief tariff negotiator, shakes hands with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington on Friday.
BUSINESS / Economy
May 24, 2025
U.S. and Japan eye June G7 leaders’ summit for possible tariff deal
Ryosei Akazawa, Japan’s chief tariff negotiator, met separately with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington.
U.S. President Donald Trump points as he boards Air Force One en route to New Jersey, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on Friday.
BUSINESS / Companies
May 24, 2025
Trump announces Nippon Steel-U.S. Steel ‘partnership’ deal
Media reports said the agreement signaled the approval of a takeover of the iconic American company by the Japanese steelmaker.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba briefs reporters after his call with U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday.
BUSINESS / Economy
May 23, 2025
Ishiba and Trump speak as Akazawa heads to Washington
The call raised hopes for a breakthrough as Japan's chief tariff negotiator heads to the U.S. for a third round of high-level negotiations.
The Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. on Wednesday submitted a recommendation to President Donald Trump on Nippon Steel's fraught $14.9 billion bid for U.S. Steel, a person familiar with the matter said, without providing further detail on its contents.
BUSINESS / Companies
May 23, 2025
U.S. panel submits view on Nippon Steel-U.S. Steel deal to Trump
Trump will now have 15 days to decide the fate of the transaction, although the timeline could slip.
Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato (right) and Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda wait for a group photograph to be taken at a meeting of Group of Seven finance ministers and central bank governors’ in Banff, Canada, on Wednesday.
BUSINESS / Economy
May 22, 2025
Japan and U.S. reaffirm commitment to letting markets set currency rates
Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent have made a point of not discussing a target yen-dollar rate.
Toyota executives say the automaker is listening to U.S. dealer requests for a truck smaller than the brand’s best-selling Tacoma midsize and Tundra full-size pickups.
BUSINESS / Companies
May 21, 2025
Toyota considers making tiny trucks for U.S. market as demand booms
Full-size and midsize pickups dominate the U.S. market, but their price — along with their size — have increased steadily in recent years.
Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's top tariff negotiator, is set to visit Washington to have talks with U.S. officials as early as Saturday.
BUSINESS / Economy
May 21, 2025
Japan and U.S. may hold third round of tariff talks as early as Saturday
Chief tariff negotiator Ryosei Akazawa is set to make a three-day visit to the U.S. from Friday.
Nippon Steel Vice Chairman Takahiro Mori speaks during an interview in Tokyo on Monday.
BUSINESS / Companies
May 21, 2025
Nippon Steel says it is confident Trump's buyout concerns have been addressed
Wednesday is the deadline for the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to review Nippon Steel's acquisition plan again.
A RAV4 model in 2018. The latest generation of the compact crossover available later this year comes equipped with a standard or plug-in hybrid powertrain, dropping the gas-powered option that makes up the bulk of current sales in the U.S.
BUSINESS / Companies
May 21, 2025
Toyota takes all-hybrid plunge with its bestselling U.S. vehicle
Toyota has long been skeptical of the industry push to go all-in on fully electric vehicles, opting instead for a multipronged approach.
Ryosei Akazawa, Japan’s chief tariff negotiator, at a news conference on Tuesday. He said that when Japan states it wants the tariffs reviewed, it means Tokyo wants them removed.
BUSINESS / Economy
May 20, 2025
Japan confirms hard-line position ahead of possible tariff talks in Washington
Tokyo wants all new levies put into place by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump completely removed.
Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent are expected to hold bilateral talks on the sidelines of a G7 finance leaders' gathering to be held this week in Canada.
BUSINESS / Economy
May 20, 2025
Japan’s Kato plans Bessent meet to discuss topics including FX
The yen gained to as much as ¥144.73 against the dollar following Kato’s remark, after trading around ¥145.50 earlier in the morning.
The supercharged investment pledge, up from an initial $1.4 billion, was pitched as part of a last-ditch effort to win approval of the merger, which has drawn fire from both U.S. Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden.
BUSINESS / Companies
May 20, 2025
Nippon Steel eyes billions more in U.S. Steel investments if Trump green-lights deal
It is unclear if the billions in new investment will be enough to sway Trump, though two sources said his administration sought the increased investment.
Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato has said he will seek an opportunity for currency talks with his U.S. counterpart Scott Bessent this week.
BUSINESS / Markets
May 19, 2025
Hedge funds reload long yen trades ahead of Kato-Bessent meeting
Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato said he will seek an opportunity for currency talks with his U.S. counterpart, Scott Bessent, this week.
FemUniti was founded in 2024 by Setsu Suzuki (right) and Meagan Ward (second from left) to empower women entrepreneurs and connect them to resources and opportunities.
COMMUNITY / Issues / The Foreign Element
May 19, 2025
Detroit-Nagoya network empowers women-owned businesses around the world
Supporting women in business is a “blueprint for the future,” says the cofounder of femUniti — and she has the data to back it up.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer (left) U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick (second from left), U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (second from right) and Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's economic revitalization minster, pose for a photo ahead of a meeting in Washington on May 1.
BUSINESS / Economy / FOCUS
May 19, 2025
China-U.S. trade truce prompts nations to consider tougher tactics
After China’s tough negotiating tactics earned it a favorable deal, nations taking a more diplomatic and expedited approach are questioning whether that’s the right path.

Longform

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