Japan voices concern over potential tariffs

Govt, businesses keep tabs on impact of Washington's move on key partners

The Japanese government and businesses are closely monitoring the potential impact of the US government's decision to impose punitive tariffs on major trading partners and expressed deep concerns about being a new target of possible tariffs.

Although Japan has so far not been slapped with punitive tariffs, major Japanese companies, especially in the automobile sector, are worried as they either have factories in Canada or rely on Mexico as a key part of their supply chain for the US market.

Their comments came as Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba departed from Tokyo on Thursday for a visit to the United States, and he will hold his first in-person meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington, DC.