July 24, 2025

Japan will face 15% tariffs, as a result of Japan-U.S. trade negotiations, on its exports to the United States, increase imports of U.S.-produced rice, and provide up to 550 billion dollars in support for Japanese companies investing in the United States. The 15% tariff rate is lower than the 25% that U.S. President Trump threatened to impose earlier, but it is still higher than the current base rate of 10%.

Japanese Communist Party Executive Committee Chair Tamura Tomoko, at a press conference in the Diet building on July 23, criticized the agreement reached in the Japan-U.S. trade deals, stating, “This is not what Japan’s Prime Minister Ishiba describes as a ‘win-win’ situation.”

Tamura added, “The ‘gifts’ Japan promised to present in exchange for the 10% discount could pose serious risks for the future.”

Regarding the agreement that Japan’s government-affiliated financial institutions will provide 550 billion dollars (approximately 80 trillion yen) in Japanese corporations’ investments, loans, and loan guarantees in order to encourage their investments in the United States, Tamura expressed concern, stating, “Simply lending Japanese investors the agreed-upon 550 billion dollars could result in risky investments, and it will be the Japanese people who bear that risk.”

In regard to the promotion of increased investment in the United States in the fields of semiconductors and pharmaceuticals in which Japanese companies are involved, she said, “Japan may become even more dependent on the U.S. economy.”

The JCP EC chair pointed out that one major factor contributing to the weakening of Japan’s rice production base is that the government forced domestic rice farmers to reduce their rice production while continuing to import the so-called “minimum access” rice. She said, “Japan is reaching a point where it must shift its focus to expanding rice production. An increase in U.S. rice imports will be running counter to this goal.”

In addition, Tamura said that it will be necessary to urgently create countermeasures to prevent corporate restructuring and job cuts from being implemented under the pretext of coping with the high tariffs.

Past related article:
> JCP Koike on ‘Sunday Debate’ TV program calls for end to LDP politics serving at US behest [July 15, 2025]