Japan's tariff envoy says Tokyo insisting on U.S. rethink

Tokyo's envoy for U.S. tariff talks said Saturday after a second round of negotiations that Japan was insisting Washington review all the levies as a precondition to a trade deal. After arriving back in Japan, Ryosei Akazawa told reporters that the two sides "made progress" toward an agreement, but stressed Tokyo was insisting that all tariffs be reviewed. Automobiles accounted for around 28% of Japanese exports to the United States last year. Earlier Saturday, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba also reiterated to reporters that "Japan and the United States remain far apart, and unable to find common ground yet." The move was "regrettable," Ishiba said, adding Japan would continue to call for its rethink as well.