Shigeru Ishiba, Japan’s Minister of State, on the 25th noted that he would continue discussions regarding the Japan-U.S. tariff negotiations, keeping in mind the Group of Seven (G7) summit scheduled for mid-next month in Canada.
According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) and Kyodo News, Ishiba met with reporters in Maizuru City, Kyoto, where he attended a Maritime Self-Defense Force escort ship inspection event, and said, “We will proceed with discussions in consideration of the G7 summit.”
Regarding cooperation in the shipbuilding sector, which has been mentioned as a card in the Japan-U.S. tariff negotiations, he said, “Icebreakers hold significant technological superiority for Japan,” adding, “Icebreakers will be central, including in Arctic sea routes.”
Earlier, on the 23rd (local time), Prime Minister Ishiba and President Donald Trump exchanged views during a phone call ahead of the third ministerial-level tariff negotiations held in Washington, D.C., and expressed their intention to hold a face-to-face meeting at the G7 summit.
Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's economic revitalization minister and negotiating representative, told reporters shortly after the third round of talks that they would work closely among ministers to find common ground during the upcoming Japan-U.S. summit held in conjunction with the G7 summit.