Japanese Economic Revitalization Minister Akazawa Ryosei / I expressed the prime　minister's wish to reach a comprehensive agreement as soon as possible that will strengthen the economies of both the U.S. and Japan. President Trump gave his candid recognition of the current situation of the U.S. in the international economy.

The minister who has been tapped to head the trade talks between Japan and the United States made the remarks following a meeting with President Donald Trump on April 16.

The two countries agreed to reach an agreement and make a joint announcement as soon as possible, as well as having a second round of ministerial talks within April.

Akazawa said that he strongly requested that the additional tariffs on automobile imports be revised.

However, he did not clarify Trump’s response. 

Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru / We recognize and acknowledge that the talks have led to the next step.

A government official told NTV that the most important outcome of the meeting was that Trump said Japan was “his top priority.”

Ishiba also expressed his intention to meet President Trump in person and to resolve the issue through top-level talks.