Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump’s order to implement lower tariffs on automobiles and other Japanese imports
ByMARI YAMAGUCHI Associated Press
September 5, 2025, 2: 56 AM
TOKYO — Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump’s signing of an order to implement lower tariffs on automobiles and other Japanese imports as a step that addressed uncertainty for key industries.
The reduction to 15% from the previous 25% was agreed between the two sides on July 22.
“Tariff negotiations between Japan and the United States was the top priority for the government and we have put all our effort into achieving an agreement in a best possible way as soon as possible,” Ishiba said Friday. “The way it was achieved … is just excellent.”
The step on tariffs comes as the Japanese prime minister faces pressure from right-wing rivals within his party to resign over its July election loss.
In Washington, Japan’s top tariff negotiator Ryosei Akazawa and his U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick also signed a