US Commerce Secretary and Japanese Tariff Minister Hold Talks... "Swift Implementation of Early Agreement to Strengthen US-Japan Alliance"

Japanese Minister of Economic Revitalization, Ryosei Akazawa [AFP Yonhap News Archive Photo. Redistribution and DB prohibited]

The Japanese side announced that Howard Rutnik, US Secretary of Commerce, and Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's Minister of Economic Revitalization and chief negotiator for US-Japan tariff talks, spoke by phone for about 60 minutes on the 10th.

According to Kyodo News, Secretary Rutnik and Minister of Economic Revitalization Akazawa reaffirmed their policy of promoting the strengthening of the US-Japan alliance, securing economic security for both countries, and fostering competitive growth through the swift implementation of the July US-Japan trade agreement during their call.

Minister of Economic Revitalization Akazawa, a close confidant of Prime Minister Ishiba, is expected to step down with the launch of the new cabinet this month.

Ahead of his departure, he appears to have shared the recognition with Secretary Rutnik, with whom he has been discussing tariff issues, that strengthening bilateral relations is necessary.

He stated yesterday that it is important for the new cabinet to diligently implement the tariff agreement, adding, "I will reliably hand over (the agreement details, etc.) to the next administration." Yonhap News