Tokyo insists defense issues and tariff talks must remain separate

japantimes.co.jpPublished: 4/21/2025

Summary

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe cautioned against intertwining defense and tariff talks during a heated Upper House debate Monday, warning that merging the issues risks distorting their essence. He emphasized that national security matters must remain distinct from trade negotiations, following over the weekend discussions of potential compromises, such as increased U.S. soybean purchases.

Additional Summaries

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba emphasized Tuesday the importance of separating defense-related discussions from ongoing U.S. tariff negotiations to avoid conflating the two issues. During the weekend, talks included plans to purchase additional U.S. soybeans as part of compromise efforts, but the prime minister stressed that such actions must remain distinct to preserve their separate identities and prevent misalignment in addressing each issue's unique concerns.