Minister Akazawa Holds Teleconference with H.E. Howard W. Lutnick, Secretary of Commerce of the United States of America

On Monday, February 23, 2026, from 10:30 p.m. (Japan Standard Time) for about 40 minutes, Minister Akazawa held a teleconference with H.E. Howard W. Lutnick, Secretary of Commerce of the United States of America.

During the meeting, the two ministers welcomed the first batch of projects under the Japan-U.S. Strategic Investment Initiative, recently announced by the governments of Japan and the United States. They also confirmed that, going forward, both countries will continue to work closely to coordinate further details and ensure the early and smooth implementation of each project.

In addition, Minister Akazawa requested that, as the U.S. government implements new tariff measures, the treatment of Japan not become less favorable than that under the agreement reached between Japan and the United States last year.

Both ministers reconfirmed that Japan and the United States will continue to faithfully and swiftly implement the agreement.

Division in Charge

Americas Division, Trade Policy Bureau