Press Conference by Minister Muto (Excerpt)

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

9:36 to 9:43 a.m.
Friday, May 16, 2025
Press Conference Room, METI Main Building

Opening Remarks

None

Question-and-Answer Session

Impact of U.S. tariff measures on the financial results of companies

Q: Companies have been announcing their financial results. However, due to the impact of U.S. tariff measures, a string of companies in the automobile and other industries have forecast a decrease in profit or have been pending the announcement of their outlook for the next term. The magnitude of impact will of course differ by company, but what is your general view about the fact that companies are increasingly concerned about the degradation of their business performance and feeling more uncertainty about their future?

A: I am aware of the widespread sense of uncertainty and lack of clarity about the future, as indicated in the business performance forecasts made for the fiscal year ending on March 31, 2026. Also, through the consultation counters provided and the push-type visits made for information collection by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, concerns have been heard about the future and uncertain outlook.

Amid rising uncertainty, however, in order to foster a shift to a growth-oriented economy driven by wage increases and investment, we must build an environment that facilitates wage increases and domestic investment among companies including small and medium enterprises. On top of that we need to provide enough support to companies affected by the U.S. tariff measures and strongly push ahead with measures for the optimization of transactions and for price pass-through measures as well as for investment support in the digital transformation (DX) and green transformation (GX) fields.

Next Japan-U.S. tariff negotiations

Q: I think the government held a meeting of the task force for U.S. tariff measures yesterday. With regard to the next round of negotiations with the United States, I would like to ask you about what the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry would like to communicate to the U.S. side and insist on.

A: At the task force meeting held yesterday, I understand that discussions were held on the future measures to be taken in consideration of the situation concerning the talks with the U.S. side. For the next round of ministerial talks, I am aware that adjustments are now being made, and I expect that frank and constructive discussion will be held between the two sides.

Going forward, we would like to cooperate continuously with the team led by Mr. Akazawa Ryosei, Minister in Charge of Economic Revitalization and the related governmental agencies and examine policies together with them in order to respond to the situation.