Ishiba invites Trump to Japan to build ‘golden age’ in relations

by KEI KOBAYASHI/ Staff Writer
September 5, 2025

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks to reporters in Tokyo on Sept. 5, after U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on tariffs. (Takeshi Iwashita photo

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Sept. 5 welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order to lower tariffs on Japanese automobiles, framing it as a key achievement of his administration’s efforts.

“We have been working with the U.S. side, making it our top priority to get these tariffs lowered as soon as possible,” Ishiba told reporters at the prime minister’s office in Tokyo. “As a result, President Trump has signed the executive order.”

He also revealed that he sent a personal letter to Trump through Ryosei Akazawa, Japan’s chief negotiator who is currently visiting the United States.

According to Ishiba, the letter invites Trump to Japan and states, “I want to build a golden age of Japan-U.S. relations together with you.”

Ishiba also reiterated that the central government has set up special consultation counters across the country to help businesses affected by the tariffs.

“We will do everything we can to minimize the impact on our economy and employment by providing financial support to small and medium-sized businesses,” he said.

The executive order marks a significant milestone in Japan-U.S. tariff negotiations and could buoy support for the prime minister, who faces calls to resign over the ruling party’s election losses.

Asked by reporters if this achievement would affect his own political future, Ishiba said, “It has nothing to do with it.”

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