INTERVIEW: PM Adviser Urges Japan to Contribute to U.S. Economic Security

Tokyo, March 16 (Jiji Press)–A special adviser to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s cabinet has called for Japan to contribute to U.S. economic security, ahead of her meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Thursday. “President Trump, who is said to prioritize practical benefits, focuses on contributions to U.S. economic security,” Masahiko Hosokawa, the adviser, said in a recent interview. “The key question is whether Japan can create projects that illustrate its contributions to bolstering U.S. supply chains.” Takaichi “needs to demonstrate how Japan is essential,” he continued. Hosokawa, professor at Meisei University, noted that U.S. semiconductor manufacturing relies on Japanese equipment and materials. “Artificial intelligence can be effectively applied to society by combining Japanese robotics technology with U.S. AI technology,” he said, proposing that the U.S. military industry be rebuilt with Japanese production technology. Hosokawa said that the Trump administration will impose 15 pct tariffs instead of what it calls reciprocal tariffs, which the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled invalid, in order to “save face” and “recover lost customs revenues ahead of the midterm elections in November.” “However, the automobile tariff, a key issue in Japan-U.S. tariff negotiations, has been reduced to 15 pct,” he emphasized, calling the reduction an achievement. Trump’s planned tariff will not affect the sector, Hosokawa added. On Japan’s investment and loan programs for the United States totaling 550 billion dollars as part of the two nations’ tariff agreement, Hosokawa said that a synthetic diamond project adopted in the first round of initiatives is promising in terms of Japan’s economic security. For the second round, next-generation nuclear reactor construction is viewed as a strong candidate. “Next-generation small modular reactors are crucial” as Japan is expected to adopt them in the future, he said. An SMR project would “present an opportunity to develop not only the U.S. market but also markets in third countries,” he added. On Japan’s release of oil reserves, which began Monday, Hosokawa said that Takaichi announced this “at a perfect time” as the announcement helped International Energy Agency member states agree on coordinated releases. Hosokawa praised her declaration that the government will keep retail gasoline prices around 170 yen per liter as a “pre-emptive measure” that responded to consumer sentiment. “While free trade is important, economic security has become an adhesive that binds countries together,” he stressed. “As China imposes economic coercion, prioritizing economic security is essential for the survival of our country.” END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]