Shigeru Isiba once again takes a tough stance: Will not compromise their interests in the Japan-US trade negotiations due to time constraints.

Local time on Monday, Japanese Prime Minister Shizuo Shizo stated in the Japanese parliament that Japan will not compromise its own interests due to time constraints in Japan-U.S. trade negotiations. Shizo said that while the UK and the U.S. reached a trade agreement earlier this month, Japan will not simply follow the practices of other countries. He mentioned that Japan will continue to seek exemptions from all additional tariffs imposed by the U.S. Shizo stated, "We will not just follow other countries because they are advancing." "Of course, we will consider time constraints in negotiations, but we have no intention of compromising our national interests due to excessive adherence to time constraints." Shizo's remarks indicate that Japan is not in a rush to reach an agreement with the U.S. As planned, the U.S. will impose a comprehensive tariff of 24% on Japanese products in early July, while the current standard tariff is 10%. It is worth noting that Shizo has repeatedly expressed a tough stance when facing trade negotiations with the U.S. Reports last week suggested that Shizo originally planned to reach an agreement with the U.S. on tariffs in June, but now the target has shifted to July. Several Japanese government sources revealed that after the second round of Japan-U.S. tariff negotiations, Shizo conveyed to those around him the idea that "there is no need to rush to reach an agreement with the U.S." Reports indicate that due to the strong backlash against Trump's push for high tariffs in the U.S., the Japanese government tends to evaluate changes in the U.S. position more cautiously. A senior official predicted that as the deadline for the U.S.-imposed tariff approaches, domestic opposition in the U.S. may further intensify, and "Trump may change his stance." Furthermore, Shizo also asserted last week that Japan will not accept any preliminary trade agreement with the U.S. that does not include automotive tariffs - the automotive industry being a key economic driver for Japan. Reports suggested that Japan will seek to lift the 25% tariffs imposed by the U.S. on Japanese cars, steel, and aluminum products. Japan is prepared to insist on achieving a better trade agreement rather than risking a backlash due to domestic political pressure. Shizo faces pressure from local business leaders and members of the Liberal Democratic Party to reject any agreement that threatens Japan's auto industry or farmers. A Tokyo official familiar with the negotiations told the media, "Although Japan was very eager to be the first country to negotiate with the U.S. on tariffs, this sense of urgency has changed now, the focus is on ensuring that Japan gets a good deal." As negotiations continue, the impact of tariffs on Japanese businesses is expected to last longer. Even before the U.S. implements most additional tariffs, the Japanese economy contracted in the first quarter, increasing the risk of a technical recession or two consecutive quarters of negative growth in the Japanese economy.