Press Conference by Minister Muto (Excerpt)

*Note: This is a provisional translation for reference purposes only.

8:36 to 8:47 a.m.
Friday, April 18, 2025
In front of the elevator hall, 2nd floor, Annex to the House of Representatives

Opening Remarks

Improvements on issues related to the operation of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan

Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai has opened. On April 13, some 140,000 people visited the venue, which since its opening has been thronged by visitors. We are working on solutions to a range of issues that have occurred at the venue in cooperation with the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition (Japan Association). For congestion at the entrance/exit gates, we have already made improvements on the visitor guidance method. Further, on-site communication capacity has been expanded by the use of mobile base stations and the installation of simple Wi-Fi devices. Moreover, we have responded to a major problem concerning restrooms by putting up information signs to guide people to their locations at around 70 points within the venue.

We have increased by six-fold the number of rental mobile batteries available to visitors for when their mobile devices need charging. Further, we are asking visitors to make necessary preparations in advance for the QR code that is required for admission to the venue.

However, I acknowledge that some other issues might occur during the Expo period. We will address them in close cooperation with the Japan Association and continue to make improvements over the 184-day period to give even more satisfaction to visitors.

Question-and-Answer Session

Actions to address U.S. tariff measures

Q: Yesterday (Japan time), the two sides started negotiations on tariffs. What are your thoughts about the negotiations and what do you expect from them? Also, talks will be held at the administrative level as well. Concerning this, please share your views with us.

A: Regarding the results of yesterday’s talks, I acknowledge the following three points. First, the two countries will continue to hold the talks in a candid and constructive manner to reach an agreement as soon as possible for announcement by the leaders. Second, the two sides will make arrangements to conduct the next round of talks before the end of this month. Third, the two countries concurred to continue the talks at the administrative level as well as at the ministerial level. 

Japan and the United States still have differences of opinion, and the future talks will not be easy ones for Japan. Nevertheless, I understand that the two sides had meaningful talks toward the next round.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) will collaborate with the team led by Mr. Akazawa Ryosei, Minister in Charge of Economic Revitalization, to examine the strategies for the next round of talks.

Q: Let me ask you another question about the Japan-U.S. negotiations currently under way. President Trump has been seeking the reduction of the U.S. trade deficit with Japan. In response, what can Japanese industries do? What do they find difficult regarding this? Please give us your views on these matters.

A: I have not yet talked about the issues related to tariffs directly with Minister Akazawa. I think we need to understand the current situation from multiple perspectives, including those gained based on what we talked about with Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and on what Prime Minister Ishiba talked about directly with President Trump.

Tariffs on automobiles are posing serious problems to Japan, and we need to collect relevant information across domestic supply chains and think about the measures to be implemented. I think we must make comprehensive and urgent decisions in this regard.

At any rate, we will have the next bilateral meeting by the end of this month, as agreed with the U.S. side, and we will think about the next steps to take toward that time.

Q: For tariffs, President Trump said that top priority will be given to Japan. What is your frank opinion about the results of the meeting? Also, we hear that President Trump said there are few American cars running in Japan. In response, what measures will METI take going forward? If you have any plans, please share the details with us. 

A: As for your second question, President Trump said something like that, but in fact the annual sales of American cars in Japan amount to around 10,000. It is, however, true that far more cars are exported from Japan to the United States. 

Under these circumstances we need to think what METI can do. We will implement domestic measures while listening to Minister Akazawa and reexamining how to address the issues.

Regarding the first question, it was an honor for the Japanese delegation to meet with President Trump. I think Minister Akazawa was thrilled to be able to meet the president. I also think the meeting was a success as one of the series of steps we have taken from the past to present. Some decisions have already been made through the talks, and the next ministerial meeting will be held by the end of this month. In light of these facts, we need to implement the next measures in a prompt manner. People in Japan may feel uneasy in various ways, and in response, we will implement domestic measures while carefully examining what concerns they have and their key points of interest. I would also like to make effective use of the results of the bilateral meeting for the implementation of measures in Japan.