The Japanese minister reported on the problems that prevented Japan's investments in the United States

Negotiations on Tokyo's commitment to invest $550 billion in the American economy are not progressing due to important gaps in the terms of the future agreement. This was reported on February 13 by The Japan Times (TJT) newspaper, citing a statement by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, Ryosei Akazawa.

"Significant gaps remain. <...> As long as there are issues requiring coordination, it cannot be said that an agreement has been reached. <...> In short, this means that we do not yet have an agreement that could be implemented," he said after almost an hour and a half of talks with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Latnik in Washington.

Akazawa stressed that the conversation with his American counterpart was very difficult, as "national interests were at stake." The Japanese minister criticized the American approach to the case, which, in his opinion, delays the deal.

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The United States and Japan reached a trade agreement on July 22, 2025. Tokyo has committed to invest $550 billion in the United States in exchange for a reduction in import duties on Japanese goods from 25% to 15%. At the end of October of the same year, Tokyo and Washington signed a document aimed at ensuring the supply of rare earth metals and other critically important minerals. It was noted that the signed resolutions were also aimed at strengthening supply chains between the two countries.

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