Japan touts progress in US trade talks with eyes on June summit

Japan's Economic Revitalisation Minister Ryosei Akazawa, the country's envoy for upcoming tariff talks with the US, answers questions from reporters in Washington on April 16, 2025. - AFP

Tokyo: Japan’s top trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa says the latest round of discussions with the Trump administration on tariffs have them on track toward a deal as early as next month, while refraining from citing specifics.

After meeting last Friday in Washington with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Akazawa said the two sides will meet again before the Group of Seven (G7) leaders’ summit between June 15-17 in Canada.