Trade group chair emphasizes Japan's key role in US economy

The head of the Japan Foreign Trade Council has expressed his view that Japanese firms should carefully explain their contributions to the growth of the American economy to the incoming US administration.

Council chairman Yasunaga Tatsuo pointed out that Japanese companies create jobs and boost tax revenues in the US through their investments.

He said: “Japanese businesses are key industrial players in the US and I think it’s vital to properly convey that they are becoming American in a sense.”

US President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to impose higher tariffs on imported goods to protect domestic manufacturers and workers.

He has also been displaying a tough stance against Mexico, where many Japanese automakers currently do business.

Yasunaga said bringing back all industries to the US could trigger inflation and create a difficult situation for consumers there.

He indicated that he will watch closely to see if the framework of a trade agreement between the US, Mexico and Canada will be maintained.