Press Conference by Minister Muto (Excerpt)

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

11:20 to 11:27 a.m.
Friday, September 12, 2025
Press Conference Room, METI Main Building

Opening Remarks

Visit to Osaka

On Monday, September 15, 2025, I will visit Osaka. First, I will attend the Ministerial Meeting on Sustainable Fuels and the Hydrogen Energy Ministerial Meeting, both chaired by the Government of Japan. Ministers and other delegates from over 30 countries and organizations will participate in each meeting.

The Ministerial Meeting on Sustainable Fuels will be held for the first time. The Government of Japan will co-host the meeting with Brazil, the 30th United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP30) president. The co-hosts will issue a Co-Chairs’ Summary, which is expected to highlight the importance of decarbonization through combining sustainable fuels, including biofuels, and mobility systems.

At the Hydrogen Energy Ministerial Meeting, its seventh session, the Government of Japan will issue a Chair’s Summary emphasizing the importance of efforts made by each country to create demand and including action plans for this.
After the two meetings, I will visit the Suminoe Factory of Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd. to attend the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the Japanese and EU battery industry associations. Mr. Stéphane Séjourné, the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, will also participate in the ceremony. We aim to strengthen cooperation in recycling and human resources development to build a more resilient storage battery supply chain.

Question-and-Answer Session

Actions to address the U.S. tariff policy

Q: I would like to ask about the refunding of reciprocal tariffs imposed by the Government of the United States. According to the recent Executive Order, the excess tariffs paid by Japan are expected to be refunded. How will the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) address likely inquiries from domestic business operators? Please also let us know when the refunds are expected to begin, if you have a rough idea.

A: According to the Executive Order signed on Thursday, September 4, reciprocal tariffs will be applied retroactively to Thursday, August 7. The Government of the United States has not yet announced the specific procedures. We have 1,000 Consultation Counters on U.S. Tariff Measures for Japanese Companies nationwide. So far, out of more than 3,000 total consultations related to tariff applications, approximately ten concern tariff refunds. Regarding inquiries about tariff refunds, we inform the inquirers that the Government of the United States has yet to announce the specific refund procedures. We believe it is desirable to provide business operators with information on refund procedures as quickly as possible. We intend to maintain close communication with the U.S. side and release information in cooperation with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and others as soon as it is announced.

Interest expressed by JERA in the Alaska LNG project

Q: JERA Co., Inc., a leading power generation company, has expressed interest in the Alaska LNG project. This likely aligns with the agreement reached during the Japan-U.S. tariff negotiations. How do you perceive their action? Other Japanese companies may be somewhat cautious due to the project’s cost implications. Please share whether the Government of Japan has any plans to approach such companies or to take any measures in response to JERA’s move.

A: I am aware that, on the night of Wednesday, September 10, JERA and a U.S. company leading the Alaska LNG project signed a letter of intent for an offtake agreement related to the project. I welcome the progress made in discussions that will benefit both Japan and the United States. METI will continue to monitor the progress of specific talks with the U.S. company and other parties regarding the project’s implementation structures, maintain discussions about the project’s economic factors and the start time of production, and take appropriate measures in consideration of the situation. With public and private stakeholders in Japan, we hope to keep close communications with relevant U.S. parties to ensure that the project benefits both Japan and the United States.