石破いしば首相しゅしょう 米べい関税かんぜい措置そち G7に合あわせ首脳しゅのう間かんで一定いってい合意ごういも念頭ねんとうに交渉こうしょう

Regarding the U.S. Trump administrations tariff measures, Prime Minister Ishiba indicated his intention to proceed with negotiations with the aim of reaching a certain agreement among the leaders at the G7 summit in June.

He also revealed plans to consider promoting cooperation regarding the repair of U.S. military vessels in Japan and the use of icebreakers for navigation in the Arctic.

Ministerial negotiations in response to U.S. tariff measures were held in Washington from the 23rd to the 24th, Japan time, between Minister for Economic Revitalization Akazawa and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, among others.

Prime Minister Ishiba said to reporters in Maizuru City, Kyoto Prefecture, where he was visiting, There were concrete discussions and some progress was seen.

“We will continue to hold further discussions with the upcoming G7 Summit in mind,” he said, indicating his intention to proceed with negotiations aiming to reach a certain level of agreement among the leaders at the G7 Summit—the meeting of the leaders of the seven major countries—to be held in Canada in mid-June.

In connection with the fact that the Japanese side has proposed cooperation in the shipbuilding sector during the Japan-U.S. negotiations, he stated, What the U.S. is interested in is where to repair American warships, and whether they can be repaired in Japan. The government would like to provide support for this.

Also, regarding icebreakers used for navigation in the Arctic and other regions, Japanese technology has a considerable advantage.

In terms of Japan-U.S. cooperation, he stated, Icebreakers will be one of the key points, including the Arctic shipping routes, indicating his intention to consider cooperation.