Published on, Aug. 31 -- August 31, 2025 2:04 PM

A demand from Washington for Japan to purchase more American rice has created fresh tensions in bilateral trade talks, as Tokyo strongly opposed the condition, calling it interference in domestic matters.

Japan's top tariff negotiator abruptly cancelled a planned US visit this week, citing unresolved issues that required discussion at the administrative level, as both sides struggled to finalize details of their July trade deal.

Reports suggest that a revised order from President Donald Trump included Japan's commitment to boost American rice imports, a move Japanese officials criticized sharply, insisting it violated earlier understandings on agricultural trade.

Tokyo stressed that the...