Japanese government sources say US officials maintain they cannot give special treatment to Japan in President Donald Trump's tariff measures. The revelation comes after the two countries held their first ministerial talks on the issue last week.



In the negotiations, Economic Revitalization Minister Akazawa Ryosei, Japan's top negotiator for the talks, urged the US to review its tariffs on automobiles and steel, among other items.



But the sources say Washington argued that it cannot make exceptions for Japan as other countries are also subject to its levies.



Akazawa told reporters on Wednesday that in the first round, the Japanese side got a sense of Washington's interests and priorities. He said Japan should swiftly decide what points it will focus on.



Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru said at the Diet on the same day that the fact that Trump met with Akazawa indicates Washington puts the highest importance on Japan and counts on the country. Ishiba said Japan and the US need to talk about how they can bring about global benefits by working together.



Some in the Japanese government are expressing concern that the US will not negotiate on lowering its tariffs while demanding that Japan increase its imports of US autos and agricultural products to eliminate trade deficits.



Japan has no intention of dropping its demand for lower levies. In the next round of talks, Akazawa plans to again urge the US to review its measures. He wants Washington to agree that topics in the negotiations will include tariff cuts.