Comprehensive Response Headquarters for U.S. Tariff Measures

On September 9, 2025, Prime Minister Ishiba held the seventh meeting of the Comprehensive Response Headquarters for U.S. Tariff Measures at the Prime Minister’s Office.

At the meeting, the participants engaged in discussions on response to U.S. tariff measures.

Following the discussion, the Prime Minister said:

“Ever since the agreement was struck between Japan and the United States on July 22, our Cabinet has given the utmost priority to continuing our efforts to coordinate with the United States over the materialization of the reduction in tariffs on the U.S. side at the earliest possible time. This culminated in President Trump signing an executive order on September 5 regarding measures that reduce the tariffs imposed on Japan.

At the same time, we drew up a Memorandum of Understanding regarding our US$550 billion investment initiative and a joint statement that reaffirms both countries’ commitments. As I have been advocating consistently, based on my approach of ‘investment over tariffs,’ it is imperative that both Japan and the United States implement this agreement faithfully and without delay.

In regard to domestic measures, in August, the top three political-level appointees and other senior officials of relevant ministries and agencies followed my instructions to hold intensive briefings and dialogues with industrial representatives and local stakeholders related to more than 4,000 items subject to U.S. tariffs. To date, the government has held such briefing sessions for more than 10,000 business operators and stakeholders in all prefectures. I would like to extend my gratitude for your swift and thorough actions.

Considering the views expressed during these briefings, I ask the relevant ministers to work on the following three initiatives.

Firstly, it is to provide the latest information and analysis on U.S. tariff measures. Additions and changes are being made to sectoral tariffs as needed. Therefore, please continue to disseminate the latest information to business operators by proactively reaching out to businesses rather than waiting passively, so that we can dispel their anxieties and concerns, while conducting a thorough analysis of the impact on Japan. This is the first point.

Secondly, please take all possible measures to minimize any impacts on industry and employment by responding to requests at the roughly one-thousand locations offering special consultation services nationwide, and making use of cash-flow assistance for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Up until now, we have received a total of approximately 2,100 inquiries on financial assistance, with about 730 loans and compensations approved in total. I ask for your continued proactive efforts. As we have also seen the development of new markets and other positive initiatives, I would like you to make sure that such examples of using ingenuity and turning crises into opportunities will be expanded.

Thirdly, since both Japan and the U.S. will now enter the phase of implementing this agreement faithfully and without delay, I request Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi and Minister Akazawa to take the lead in managing the implementation progress at the Comprehensive Response Taskforce, to ensure the agreement is realized steadily and swiftly by the relevant ministries and agencies.

I am confident that the latest agreement has laid the foundation for ensuring Japan’s economic security and accelerating economic growth, but this is not the end. We must ensure implementation of the agreement and address any new concerns should they arise.

I ask you to build on the relationship of trust between Japan and the United States that we have fostered thus far and continue to steadily work on the matter.

I have used the term ‘national crisis’; such a phrase should not be used lightly, but I believe we truly faced such a situation this time.

As mentioned earlier, Minister Akazawa made ten visits to the United States. I believe his energy and stamina were truly pushed to the limit, and I am deeply grateful for his tremendous efforts. At the same time, having worked within relevant ministries and agencies many times myself, I firmly believe that everyone was united in tackling this issue.

Their devotion could be described as working day and night, without sleep or rest, and even sacrificing their holidays. I think that such efforts led to this outcome, but this is not the end. I ask the government to continue dedicating its utmost efforts, as this truly concerns our national interests, the livelihoods of each and every citizen, and the survival of every company and business operator. Thank you for your continued support. That is all from me.”