The minister, Yoji Muto, is expected to negotiate with U.S. officials ahead of global tariffs that could damage Japanese businesses, including automotive giants.

Japan's trade minister on Monday said he asked the United States not to impose trade tariffs on his country, but did not win any assurance that Japan would be exempt, including from a 25% steel and aluminium duty set to start on Wednesday.

Tokyo’s trade minister said Monday he had asked US government officials to exempt Japan from vehicle and metal tariffs, but there was no sign Washington would agree to the request. President Donald Trump’s administration is preparing to impose a 25 percent levy on steel and aluminum this week as well as a tariff on foreign automobiles from April.

Japan’s Trade Minister Yoji Muto will visit the US next week as Tokyo steps up efforts to seek a reprieve from President Donald Trump’s tariff campaign.

Japan's Trade Minister Yoji Muto will visit Washington from March 9-11 to discuss economic ties with U.S. senior officials, the trade ministry announced on Friday. The Asahi newspaper reported late last month that Muto would visit with the hope of gaining exemptions on proposed tariffs on key Japanese export items such as cars and steel.

Economy and foreign ministers of Japan and Britain agreed Friday to promote free and open international trade at their first “two-plus-two” dialogue on economy held in Tokyo amid growing concern about U.

WASHINGTON—Trade minister Yoji Muto failed to secure assurances from senior U.S. administration officials that Japan would be spared potentially crippling tariffs planned by President Donald Trump.

Japan's Minister of Trade, Yoji Muto, during his first personal talks with American counterparts, once again emphasized the need to exclude the country from the tariff campaign initiated by US President Donald Trump.