Muto is arranging meetings with newly confirmed U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and other top officials also to discuss Japan's plans to buy more American gas and Nippon Steel's stranded bid to acquire U.S. Steel, according to the report.

Japan's trade minister is arranging a visit to the United States in coming weeks to seek exemptions from President Donald Trump's tariffs, local media said Thursday. Vehicles represented 28 percent of all Japan's exports to the United States last year.

Japans Trade Minister Yoji Muto plans to visit the U.S. in March, aiming to secure exemptions from the Trump administrations proposed tariffs on steel and car imports, according to Asahi newspaper. Muto is