Japan's government said its top trade negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, held a 45-minute phone call with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on U.S. tariffs on Thursday.

Japan's trade surplus significantly narrowed to JPY 153.1 billion in June 2025, a substantial drop from JPY 221.3 billion a year prior and well under the forecasted JPY 353.9 billion. Exports fell for the second consecutive month,

Japan posted a smaller-than-expected trade surplus in June as exports continued to struggle under the weight of U.S. tariffs and weakening global demand. The country logged a trade surplus of 153.1 billion yen

The decrease in exports was a reversal of the 0.5% rise expected by economists polled by Reuters Exports to the U.S. declined by 11.4% year over year, deepening from the 11% fall in May. Exports of automobiles to the U.

(Reuters) -Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is arranging to meet U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Tokyo on Friday, the Yomiuri newspaper reported on Tuesday, ahead of an August 1 deadline to strike a trade deal with the United States.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is set to meet U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Tokyo on Friday, aiming to finalize a trade deal before new tariffs take effect on August 1, the Yomiuri newspaper

TOKYO (Reuters) -Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Tuesday that he would continue negotiations with the U.S. to seek a mutually beneficial trade deal, after President Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs on goods from Japan starting August 1.

USD/JPY and AUD/USD move on trade talk progress, US PPI data, and Aussie housing trends. Policy paths in Japan, US, and Australia remain in sharp focus.