Nippon Steel’s Wily President Key to Battle Over US Steel (1)

US politicians and unions trying to derail the foreign takeover of United States Steel Corp.will have to defeat a tough negotiator from the other side of the Pacific: Eiji Hashimoto.

The president of Nippon Steel Corp. and architect of its $14.1 billion deal to create the world’s second-largest steel company has built a reputation over the years as a wily executive willing to take on his biggest customers. Before embarking on tough discussions, the 68-year-old is known to swim laps at his local health club to build up physical and mental stamina.

Eiji Hashimoto in 2019.

Photographer: Tomoko Hagimoto/The Yomiuri Shimbun/AP Photo

Nippon Steel’s stock has climbed ...