Japan trade negotiator Akazawa to visit US for tariff talks from Friday

Japan's top trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa plans to visit Washington from Friday to Sunday for negotiations over U.S. tariffs, he said on Thursday.

Akazawa said details of the upcoming talks, including who will be attending from the U.S. side, have yet to be fixed.

"While continuing to demand firmly the U.S. reconsideration over the tariffs, I plan to tackle the talks candidly and constructively to achieve an agreement that is beneficial for both Japan and the United States as early as possible," Economic Revitalisation Minister Akazawa told reporters.

TV Tokyo reported earlier on Thursday that Akazawa had a phone conversation with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent before Wednesday, where Bessent expressed reluctance to meet Akazawa this week, but agreed to hold talks next week.