Japan PM Pledges Support for Domestic Firms Amid U.S. Auto Tariff Threat
TOKYO, April 2 – Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has vowed to provide financial and logistical support to domestic companies in response to potential new U.S. tariffs on automobile imports.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Ishiba said that if Washington moves forward with a proposed 25 percent tariff on imported cars, the Japanese government will establish consultation centers at approximately 1,000 locations nationwide to assist affected firms with financing and procurement needs.
“Japan remains the largest investor in the United States,” Ishiba emphasized. “We will continue to push for Japan’s exemption from these additional tariffs, particularly on automobiles and other export-dependent sectors.”
His comments come just a day after Japan’s parliament, the Diet, passed a record 115.2 trillion yen (around USD 770 billion) budget for the 2025 fiscal year, which began on April 1.
The Prime Minister also addressed domestic economic concerns, promising measures to help citizens manage the rising cost of living, including price hikes in essentials such as rice and gasoline. However, he remained cautious about lowering the consumption tax on food.
Ishiba added that the government aims to introduce a plan by May to raise the national minimum wage and support labor-saving investments, especially targeting productivity improvements for small and mid-sized service providers.
— Xinhua / BERNAMA
