Japan and the United States are coordinating the fourth tariff negotiations at the end of this month, and it is expected that a summit meeting, including tariff issues, will be held during the Group of Seven (G7) leaders' summit next month, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported on the 23rd.
According to the report, Japan's Minister of Economic Revitalization Ryosei Akazawa is departing for the United States today and will participate in the third ministerial negotiations on the morning of the 24th (Korea time). The U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, Scott Bessent, will not be attending, and only U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick will be present.
Akazawa will return home after completing this negotiation and is expected to visit the United States again next week to continue the fourth negotiations with Secretary Bessent. The Asahi Shimbun also reported that since Secretary Bessent will not attend, Akazawa is expected to return to the United States next week to continue negotiations.
The two countries are also discussing the possibility of holding a summit to discuss tariff issues in mid-next month during the G7 summit in Canada. The Yomiuri noted that "if there is progress in the ministerial negotiations, there is a possibility of reaching some level of agreement at the summit."
However, while Japan demands the elimination of automobile tariffs and all reciprocal tariffs, the United States is in a position to negotiate only regarding a 10% basic tariff and a 14% reciprocal tariff with national discrimination, indicating a clear difference in positions.
Asahi reported that Japan has delivered a proposal containing about 50 items aimed at the elimination of tariffs by the Trump administration. This reportedly includes the expansion of imports of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG), bioethanol, corn, and streamlining of review standards for U.S. automobiles, as well as cooperation on icebreaking ships.
However, the Yomiuri reported that there has been no substantial progress in recent working-level discussions, and if the two countries fail to find common ground before the G7 summit, the leaders' meeting may be limited to checking the progress of negotiations and deciding to continue ministerial consultations.
A Japanese government official told Asahi, "Even if there is some agreement at the ministerial level, whether it will be accepted by President Trump is uncertain," adding that, "A solution that can salvage President Trump's face is likely to be key, rather than resolving the U.S. trade deficit."
Meanwhile, the Japanese government is preparing a shipbuilding industry cooperation plan as a negotiating card. The Yomiuri reported that the Japanese government is promoting domestic facilities maintenance, shipbuilding technology development, and support for the construction of next-generation fuel blue ammonia vessels.
Japan is also planning to propose cooperation measures to jointly develop blue ammonia vessels and automobile carriers by establishing a "shipbuilding revitalization fund" with the United States, as well as support for facility maintenance in the U.S. This content is expected to be included in the "Basic Policy on Economic and Fiscal Operations and Reforms" to be announced next month, with budget reflections planned.
Regarding energy cooperation, Japan is also considering participation in the Alaska LNG development project emphasized by President Trump. According to NHK, Japan plans to send personnel to the energy meeting to be held in Alaska from the 3rd to the 5th of next month to gather information and assess the project's feasibility.