Newest US tariffs on China drive Japan Inc. toward Southeast Asia

Uniqlo, Seiko and more weigh production shifts amid growing trade war

20190901N Uniqlo

A Uniqlo store in Tokyo: The chain earns 5% of its sales in North America. (Photo courtesy of Fast Retailing)

YUJI OHIRA, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- With the U.S. enacting another round of tariffs on Chinese goods Sunday, Japanese companies that have production in China are scrambling for alternatives to minimize the fallout from the trade war.

An additional 15% tariff was imposed on 3,243 items, including many consumer goods like clothing and watches, prompting companies across a wide range of industries to consider shifting production to Southeast Asia and raising prices to cope.

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