TOKYO – Japan’s Economy Minister Ryosei Akazawa has been appointed as trade negotiator with the United States, the government’s top spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Bilateral discussions on exchange-rate moves will continue to be managed by Japan’s finance minister and the US treasury secretary, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told a news conference.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is considering another visit to the United States for discussions with US President Donald Trump “at the most appropriate timing”, with progress in ministerial-level talks being a key consideration, Hayashi said.
The appointment, made by Ishiba, came after the Japanese prime minister and Trump agreed to initiate bilateral discussions on tariffs in a telephone meeting on Monday.
Trump has designated Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to oversee trade negotiations with Japan, Bessent said on social media.
