(Update) Japan Asks for Exemption from Trump's Reciprocal Tariffs

   Tokyo, April 3 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government has asked the United States to exempt Japan from its just-announced reciprocal tariffs, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said Thursday.
   "We have conveyed (to the U.S. side) that the latest measure is extremely regrettable and strongly urged (the U.S. government) to reconsider the measure," Hayashi told a press conference after U.S. President Donald Trump announced reciprocal tariffs on Wednesday, including a 24 pct levy on imports from Japan.
   Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has instructed related ministers to assess the impact of the tariffs and take all possible measures, including financial support for domestic companies.
   "We have serious concerns about (the tariffs') consistency with World Trade Organization agreements and the Japan-U.S. trade agreement," Ishiba told reporters.
   The prime minister stressed that he may travel to the United States and directly meet with Trump to seek an exemption from the tariffs, saying, "I will not hesitate to make approaches at the best time in the best manner."

(2025/04/03-19:10)