Japan resists US rice push, seeks auto tariff relief

Japan rejected US pressure to boost rice imports beyond duty-free quotas, with trade chief Ryosei Akazawa denying any farm tariff cuts in July's $550 billion deal. Tokyo wants Washington to cut auto tariffs, but has yet to see US manufacturing investments. US insists Japan must raise rice imports by 75%, sparking friction that could delay pact. EWJ ETF is up 17.6% YTD.