Japan PM Ishiba hopes for phone meeting with Trump 'next week'

Tariffs, job creation in U.S. and ways to benefit Japan on the agenda

Japan is preparing concrete measures to present in tariff negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said. (Source photos obtained by Nikkei)

RIEKO MIKI

April 6, 2025 01:00 JST

TOKYO -- Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Saturday he would like to have a telephone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump "within next week" regarding U.S. tariff policy, saying, "I want to discuss how to create jobs in the U.S. and how to benefit Japan."

Appearing on a Yomiuri Telecasting program, the Japanese leader said that "only Trump can make the final decisions," indicating the necessity of direct negotiations.