Japan to approach US for tariff reprieve

Ishiba said Trump's decision to slap tariffs on imports from Japan was "extremely disappointing and regrettable", adding that Japan would continue to explain that it had done nothing unfair to the United States.

Ishiba also said he was willing to visit the United States for a meeting with Trump as soon as possible.

"But in doing so, we must ready a package of steps on what Japan could do," he added.

Trump's decision to slap a 25 per cent levy on auto imports, and a reciprocal 24 per cent tariff on other Japanese goods, is expected to deal a huge blow to Japan's export-heavy economy with analysts predicting the higher duties could knock up to 0.8 per cent off economic growth.