Japan is gearing up for trade negotiations with the United States that will likely touch on the thorny topic of currency policy, with some officials privately bracing for Washington to call on Tokyo to prop up the yen.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Friday set up a task force to oversee trade negotiations with the United States, headed by his close aide, economy minister Ryosei Akazawa, who domestic media said will visit Washington next week.
U.S. President Donald Trump's focus on addressing a huge trade deficit, and his past remarks criticizing Japan for intentionally maintaining a weak yen, mean markets are expecting Tokyo to come under pressure to strengthen the yen versus the dollar and give U.S. manufacturers a competitive advantage.
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