Press Conference by Minister Muto (Excerpt)

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

11:24-11:33 a.m.
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Press Conference Room, METI Main Building

Opening Remarks

The third meeting on Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai, Japan

Today, a meeting on Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai, Japan, was held in the presence of Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, with the participation of the relevant ministers, Governor Yoshimura of Osaka Prefecture, Mayor Yokoyama of Osaka City, Chairman Tokura of the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), and Chairman Matsumoto of the Kansai Economic Federation (Kankeiren). The participants reviewed the operation of Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai, Japan, to date and discussed efforts to be made towards its closing. Prime Minister Ishiba mentioned that over 20 million people have visited the event, and that the event is now expected to turn a profit. Prime Minister Ishiba also gave instructions to establish a framework for considering the legacy of the event under the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Minister in Charge of the World Expo 2025, and to remain vigilant in managing the event until its closing. There are 27 days left until the end. We remain fully committed to ensuring smooth operations, with the safety of all visitors as the top priority. In addition, as the number of reservation slots available is becoming limited, we will encourage ticket holders and those considering visiting the event to make reservations early.

Reuse of removed soil for flower beds within the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry General Office Building for Fukushima’s reconstruction

From Saturday, September 13, to Monday, September 15, work was carried out to reuse removed soil for flower beds within the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry building for Fukushima’s reconstruction. We are pleased to announce that this work was completed. This is based on the confirmation made at a Ministerial Meeting last month that the central government agencies in Kasumigaseki will be the first to take action on the reuse of removed soil. Going forward, we will work with the relevant ministries and agencies to address the reuse of removed soil for Fukushima’s reconstruction as a government-wide effort. Please ask the administrative staff for more details.

Question-and-Answer Session

Actions to address the U.S. tariff policy

Q: I would like to ask you one question about the U.S. tariff policy. Automobile tariffs will be reduced to 15% from 1:01 p.m. today, Japan time. I would like to ask about your view on the reduction of automobile tariffs. Although the tariffs will be reduced, they will be six times higher than the previous 2.5%, which will mean a greater burden. I would like to ask about your thoughts on the impact this will have on the industry.

A: Based on the Executive Order signed on Thursday, September 4, U.S. time, a notice amending the Tariff Schedule for automobiles, automobile parts, and reciprocal tariffs is expected to be published in the Federal Register on Tuesday, September 16, U.S. time. We would like to welcome the steady implementation of the Japan-U.S. agreement by the U.S. side. The reduction in tariffs will mitigate the impact on Japan's automobile industry to a certain extent, but the 15% tariff rate will remain in effect. An opinion exchange was held with the automobile industry on July 31 in which Prime Minister Ishiba and I participated. During the opinion exchange, the industry representatives said that they appreciate that Japan and the U.S. agreed on 15%, but that the impact will by no means be small. We also received requests regarding the need to maintain supply chains and measures to stimulate domestic demand. Taking these voices into consideration, in the next fiscal year's budgetary request and tax system reform request, we are requesting a fundamental review of automobile taxation in order to revitalize the domestic market, support for potential medium enterprises and small and medium enterprises to expand their sales channels so that they can capture foreign demand, and hands-on, ongoing support for automobile parts suppliers (this is known as the Mikata Project), and an increase in the budget for project. Through these measures, we will take all possible measures to mitigate the impact of the U. S. tariff measures. We will also continue to analyze the impact and prepare to respond promptly if a flexible response is required.