Japan is not yet ready to commit to economic reforms and other "bold steps" needed to launch negotiations for a free-trade agreement with the United States, a senior American official said Friday.

Assistant U.S. Trade Representative Wendy Cutler, in Tokyo for talks with Japanese officials, said Washington would need to be satisfied there was the political will for such a deal in Tokyo before starting such talks.

"During my meetings here, I didn't sense a readiness from my Japanese colleagues, and so we agreed that we'll just work on ways to deepen our economic relationship," she told reporters at the Japan National Press Club.