Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba faces a difficult test in Sunday’s upper house election. A defeat could worsen political uncertainty, as the country faces multiple challenges. Apart from food shortages and a surge in rice prices,

Keio University's Tomohiko Taniguchi — also a special adviser to former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe — says the weekend Upper House election in Japan complicates tariff negotiations with the U.S.

Japanese shipper K-Line forecasts a US$200 million hit from US tariffs and is adjusting its fleet of ships to other regions.

Japan is seeking talks between tariff negotiator Ryosei Akazawa and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent when the U.S. official visits Japan for the World Expo next week, Yomiuri newspaper reported on Thursday citing Japanese government sources.

The US sets reciprocal tariffs of 25% for Japan and South Korea. Both countries vowed to accelerate negotiations within three weeks.

Tokyo and Washington have yet to agree on tariff deal as US President Trump's announced deadline of Aug. 1 draws closer - Anadolu Ajansı

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Tuesday said US-imposed tariffs on Japanese imports would have an impact on the country, but added that negotiations would continue.

Japanese shipper Kawasaki Kisen (K-Line) is adjusting its U.S. services and is prepared to reroute more ships away to other regions as it braces for potentially higher U.S. tariffs, CEO Takenori Igarashi said on Wednesday.

U.S. President Donald Trump expressed frustration with Japan over trade and said that its "reciprocal" tariff rate of 25%, mentioned in a letter sent to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba last week, might simply be allowed to go into effect on Aug. 1.