Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japan’s new Minister of Foreign Affairs, HAYASHI Yoshimasa, met with American Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo in Tokyo on Monday.

Hayashi welcomed Raimondo on her first visit to Japan and stated that her choice of Japan as her first destination on an official visit to Asia signals the importance of the Japan-US Alliance. 

In response, Raimondo congratulated Hayashi on his appointment, and stated that Japan is the most important partner for the United States. 

Hayashi and Raimondo had discussions on various issues, including the international order in the Indo-Pacific and Japan-US cooperation in economic security that includes supply chain resilience. Raimondo expressed America’s intention to take the initiative with Japan in advancing economic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

Hayashi requested the lifting of additional import tariffs on steel and aluminum from Japan under Section 232 of the US Trade Expansion Act of 1962, and Raimondo responded that US will prioritize its efforts to address the request.