Japan Taps Economy Minister Akazawa to Lead Tariff Talks With US

Japan selected its economic revitalization minister Ryosei Akazawa to lead tariff negotiations with the US as it scrambles to seek a reprieve from the Trump administration, according to Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi.

Hayashi made the announcement in a press conference on Tuesday. Akazawa, known as the right-hand man for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, will negotiate with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

Ryosei Akazawa

Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg

The US is expected to prioritize Japan over its other trading partners following a call between President Donald Trump and Ishiba on Monday. The so-called 24% reciprocal tariffs, ...