Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Ryosei Akazawa departed Japan on March 6 for Washington to discuss second-round projects under a $550 billion (¥86 trillion) investment pledge with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. The talks address February tariffs from the Trump administration and prepare for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's White House visit on March 19, with three projects already agreed and others pending.
This marks Akazawa's 12th trip to Washington since tariff negotiations began last April and his second this year. He left Thursday, March 6, 2026, and is scheduled to meet Lutnick on Friday before returning to Japan on Sunday.
The discussions focus on advancing initiatives under the investment package, including the construction of nuclear power plants in the US. Three projects have already been agreed upon, with several others potentially finalized soon, according to sources and Japanese reports.
The visit addresses new tariffs imposed by the Trump administration in February, stemming from ongoing trade frictions with implications for the Japanese economy, including carmakers. Japan aims to strengthen bilateral ties through these investments ahead of the leaders' summit.
