Japan's lead negotiator in tariff talks with the United States has pledged to continue urging the administration of President Donald Trump to rethink its tariff measures against his country in the second round of negotiations.



Japanese Economic Revitalization Minister Akazawa Ryosei is to depart for the US to meet with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington as early as Thursday.



Akazawa told reporters ahead of the trip that Japan is strongly demanding that the Trump administration remove all new tariffs it imposed against Japan, and that there is no change to that stance.



Akazawa said this is his major goal, and that he cannot budge on it.



Akazawa said he is seeking a deal that is acceptable to both countries. He added that he wants to steer talks toward investment and other economic initiatives rather than tariffs.



Japanese government officials insisted that massive investment from Japan has contributed to the creation of jobs for the Americans. They also said the country has made efforts to reduce the trade deficit with the US.



Akazawa said there is no doubt that Japan is a special country for the US, and that Japan deserves to be treated as a role model.