Japan’s new finance and economy ministers laid out their policy priorities in news conferences on Wednesday.
Finance Minister Katayama Satsuki said she was determined to pursue fiscal and economic management in a responsible and active way.
She said: “We’d like to promote economic and fiscal management based on a policy that is responsible and active, toward a solid revitalization of the economy and the country. We need to do this with a view toward fiscal soundness.”
Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Akazawa Ryosei discussed the state of tariff negotiations with the United States. He said they will be led by Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu, and that he himself will be involved.
Akazawa also mentioned Japan’s commitment to a 550 billion-dollar investment in the US, agreed to under the terms of a bilateral trade deal.
He said: “To the extent possible with this investment, we aim to create supply chains in the US in key fields of economic security. I’d like to make the utmost effort to make this a substantial project that will benefit both countries.”
Akazawa was the chief negotiator in trade talks with Washington under former Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru.
