A: Hey, what's up? Any news from Japan lately?

B: Not really, what's going on?

A: Well, our economic revitalization minister, Akazawa, had a chat with some top US officials in Washington last week!

B: Oh, who did he talk to?

A: He met with the Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, and Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick. They talked about trade expansion, non-tariff measures, and cooperation on economic security.

B: And why was that important?

A: It's because it happened before our leaders are supposed to meet at the G7 summit. Akazawa said he had in-depth discussions based on previous phone conversations between the two leaders.

B: Did they agree on anything?

A: Not yet, they just said they'll keep working hard to find a deal that benefits both sides. Akazawa reminded everyone that the negotiations are still hazy, like in a fog. He said only when everything is settled will there be an agreement.

B: So, what happens next?

A: Akazawa didn't say anything about the next round of talks. He just said sometimes the fog clears, and sometimes it doesn't. He also warned against creating unnecessary expectations or concerns until there's a clear path to an agreement.
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Japan's chief tariff negotiator Akazawa Ryosei has held a fresh round of talks with top US administration officials. Akazawa says he sought the possibility of reaching a mutually beneficial agreement.



Akazawa, who serves as economic revitalization minister, met separately with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington on Friday.



They deepened discussions based on previous negotiations, including on trade expansion, non-tariff measures and cooperation in economic security.



Akazawa later told reporters that the timing of the latest talks was important, occurring before the leaders of Japan and the United States are scheduled to meet at the upcoming Group of Seven summit.



He said he had in-depth discussions based on the outcomes of phone conversations between the two leaders.



Akazawa said both sides will continue to vigorously make adjustments to strike a deal. He stressed that Tokyo will remain committed to prioritizing the negotiations and make an all-out effort.



He refrained from commenting on the next round of talks. Akazawa earlier said the negotiations were "in a fog." He told reporters that a fog sometimes clears with the sunrise, but sometimes not.



Akazawa said there was no agreement until everything has been settled on, and it would be inappropriate for him to say whether he saw a path leading to a deal as it could cause unnecessary expectations or concerns.