Press Conference by Minister Muto (Excerpt)

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

11:19 to 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Press Conference Room, METI Main Building

Opening Remarks

Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan (Japan Day)

From July 2 to July 3, I will visit the venue of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, and on July 3, I will attend the official ceremony for Japan Day, Japan’s National Day. In addition to the official ceremony, Japan Day will also include a variety of events and parades to showcase the culture of Japan at the venue. The official ceremony will also be broadcast on Virtual Expo and Expo 2025’s official YouTube channel for those who are not able to visit the Expo.

Today marks the 80th day of Expo2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. As we approach the halfway point of the Expo, we will continue our efforts to attract as many visitors as possible.

Question-and-Answer Session

Japan-U.S. tariff negotiations

Q: Let me ask you about Japan-U.S. tariff negotiations. Minister Akazawa returned to Japan yesterday from the seventh round of negotiations, and he said that Japan and the U.S. have agreed to continue efforts to coordinate vigorously to achieve an agreement that is beneficial to both sides. However, the negotiations themselves have been protracted, and President Trump reiterated in an interview with Fox News broadcast on June 29 that he does not intend to make any easy concessions on tariffs on automobiles.

I would like to ask your view on the current status of the negotiations, including the severity of the situation. Additionally, should these tariff measures become prolonged, what would be the potential impact on the automotive industry, and what forms of support would the government provide?

A: As in the past, the Government of Japan has devoted full, concerted efforts, led by Mr. Akazawa Ryosei, Minister in Charge of Economic Revitalization, to realize an agreement that will benefit both Japan and the U.S. as its top priority while protecting Japan's national interests. I have been told that the latest discussions were fruitful while reaffirming the positions of Japan and the U.S.

In addition, there are also various comments by President Trump regarding the status of talks with the U.S., as you have just mentioned. I will refrain from commenting on President Trump’s remarks, but the automobile industry is a key industry for Japan. We will persistently ask the U.S. to review its tariff measures, and after assessing the domestic impact, I believe that we must take necessary measures without hesitation and firmly protect the automobile industry.

Q: Seven rounds of negotiations have been held to date, and I believe that some countries, such as China and the U.K., have achieved a general framework agreement. What are your thoughts on the current situation?

A: I have not heard that either China or the UK have exchanged drafts with the U.S., but I think it is fair to acknowledge that the two countries have made some progress. Similarly, regarding Japan-U.S. negotiations, I believe that details are being worked out in various ways, so that Japan will come close to an agreement that will be in a win-win situation for both countries, as Minister Akazawa has been saying. We will continue our efforts to achieve desired results.

Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan (Japan Day, income and expenditure forecast)

Q: As you mentioned in the Opening Remarks, Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan will soon mark its 80th day, nearly three months since the opening. As you will also visit Osaka, what are your expectations for Japan Day, as well as your impressions on the progress of the Expo so far? In addition, are there any signs of profitability?

A: The day before yesterday, on June 29, the total number of visitors to Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan exceeded 10 million. We have heard positive feedback on social media and have received high evaluations, with as many as 80% of visitors intending to return. We would like to thank everyone who visited the venue, but we continue to face challenges every day. I am confident that addressing these challenges and striving to improve our services to maximize the enjoyment of visitors will lead to an increase in the number of visitors in the future.

As for the income and expenditures forecast, I will refrain from making any comments based on predictions at this moment, but we will continue to make efforts towards achieving a balanced budget while properly managing both sales and expenditures.

Shipment of Canadian LNG to Japan

Q: The LNG Canada project just shipped its first cargo to Japan. The annual production capacity is a massive 14 million tons at maximum. Please tell us about its significance for Japan's energy security and your expectations.

A: Regarding the LNG to be supplied from the LNG Canada project, in which Japanese companies are also participating, I understand that Japanese companies are planning to take delivery of approximately two million tons per year The launch of LNG exports from Canada represents an increase in the supply of LNG that does not rely on transit through geographical choke points. At the same time, exports from Canada have the advantage of contributing to the diversification of procurement. In addition, I believe that exports from Canada will contribute to the stabilization of the LNG market by adding depth to the market, which is prone to tight supply and demand on a global basis. In this sense, I expect this project to make a significant contribution to the stable supply of energy to Japan.