The seventh round of ministerial-level tariff negotiations between Japan and the United States has begun, with Akizawa meeting with Lutnik.

[Japan and the U.S. Launch Seventh Round of Ministerial-Level Tariff Talks, Akizawa and Lutnik Meet] According to Japan's Kyodo News, Japan's Minister of Economic Revitalization Akizawa Ryo is meeting with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Lutnik in Washington, D.C. on the 27th local time. The seventh round of ministerial-level talks between Japan and the U.S. is focused on the high tariff policies of the Trump administration. The Japanese government stated, "We had productive discussions. We will continue to coordinate fully between Japan and the U.S. to reach a mutually beneficial protocol." Akizawa Ryo did not immediately accept media interviews after the talks. The meeting lasted about one hour. Considering that the suspension period for the reciprocal tariffs ends on July 9, and that Japan will implement voting for the House of Councillors election on the 20th, Akizawa Ryo requested a significant reduction in the additional tariff rates on automobiles, which the Japanese government views as a "national interest."