Japanese senior official Hirofumi Akazawa said on Tuesday that Tokyo is carefully assessing the potential impact of the United States’ revised stance on auto tariffs, amid renewed concerns over trade tensions with Washington. The comment comes after the US announced adjustments to its tariff framework that could affect foreign car imports, particularly from major exporters like Japan.
Akazawa, a key figure in Japan’s ruling party with influence on economic and trade policy, noted that Japan remains committed to free and fair trade, and will take a measured approach in analyzing the implications for its domestic auto industry, which is a major pillar of the country’s economy.
“We are closely watching developments and are in communication with relevant stakeholders,” he said, adding that any decisions would be guided by both economic impact assessments and diplomatic dialogue with the US.
The Japanese yen held steady in the wake of the remarks, while shares in major automakers such as Toyota and Honda edged lower on investor caution. Market participants are concerned that any escalation could undermine trade stability between the two allies.
Tokyo’s response comes amid broader uncertainty over US trade policies ahead of a potential shift in global tariff dynamics, with many countries reassessing their export strategies in light of rising protectionist signals.
