Japan's automakers' association said Thursday it hopes that the North American Free Trade Agreement will maintain its current framework as the United States, Canada and Mexico update the trade pact amid growing trade tensions between the U.S. and its trading partners.

"Japanese automakers' businesses in North America are based on the NAFTA framework, and that framework is based on a three-party agreement," said Akio Toyoda, chairman of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) and president of Toyota Motor Corp.

"We hope that framework continues this way, and that it remains well-balanced."