A: Hey there! Heard any interesting news recently?
B: Not much, what's up?

A: So, our PM met Scott Bessent from the US Treasury! They were talking about tariffs. Our PM wants to keep negotiating for a deal that benefits both countries.

B: Oh, I see! Bessent is in Japan for the 2025 World Expo in Osaka.

A: That's right! Our PM welcomed him at his office on Friday and they talked for over 30 minutes. The Minister for Economic Revitalization was there too, he's our main guy on tariffs.

B: Sounds like a serious meeting. What did they decide?

A: They agreed to work closer together in economy, security and other areas. Our PM asked Bessent to continue talking with the Minister, hoping for an agreement that helps both sides.

A: But no date has been set yet for our PM to talk directly with President Trump. Trump wants to impose a 25% tariff on Japanese imports from August 1 though.

B: That's tough news... But our government is still trying to reach an agreement with the US administration by talking at different levels.

A: Exactly! But during this visit, Bessent won't talk about tariffs with us as he's here for the World Expo. Instead, Washington is looking over our proposal to invest a lot and buy more American goods to reduce the trade deficit.

A: If things don't move fast enough, they might send our Minister back to the US soon to speed up negotiations. What do you think about all this?

B: It's complicated... But I hope they can find a solution that works for everyone!
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Japan's Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru has met US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Tokyo. Ishiba called for continued tariff negotiations so the two countries can reach a deal that benefits both sides.



Bessent is visiting Japan to attend the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, western Japan.



Ishiba welcomed him at the Prime Minister's Office on Friday. They posed for photos before heading for talks that lasted over 30 minutes.



Economic Revitalization Minister Akazawa Ryosei joined the meeting. He is serving as Japan's top negotiator on the US tariffs.



Ishiba and Bessent affirmed that the two countries will seek stronger ties on the economy, security and other areas.



After the meeting, Ishiba told reporters he asked Bessent to continue negotiations energetically with Akazawa, in order to reach an agreement that benefits both sides.



Ishiba said that although no date has been set for a meeting or other form of contact with US President Donald Trump, he believes there will of course be an opportunity for him to directly talk with the president, with Japan's national interest at stake.



Trump has notified Ishiba that he plans to impose a tariff of 25 percent on Japanese imports from August 1.



The Japanese government is hoping to reach an agreement with the Trump administration by communicating at various levels.



But government sources say Bessent will not engage in ministerial talks with Japan during this visit, as he is making the trip as part of the US delegation to the World Expo.



The sources say Washington is now studying Tokyo's proposal to make massive investments and import more American goods to reduce the trade deficit the United States has with Japan.



The Japanese government is said to be considering sending Akazawa back to the US soon to seek progress in negotiations.