Japan is likely to seek a telephone conversation between Akazawa and Bessent before the latter arrives and an in-person meeting during the U.S. official's stay, the Yomiuri reported. It may also seek a meeting between Ishiba and Bessent as well, the newspaper reported.

President Donald Trump on Monday set a 25% tax on goods imported from Japan and South Korea, as well as new tariff rates on a dozen other countries.