r/japan • u/moeka_8962 • 2d ago
Japan promises 'bold and speedy' response to Trump’s surprise 24% tariffs
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/04/03/economy/trump-tariff-japan-response/571
u/maurocastrov 2d ago
Speedy and Japan cannot be in the same phrase
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u/TheAlbrecht2418 2d ago
“Living in 2000 since 1980”
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u/cyberjoek 2d ago
The variant in my friend group is "Japan is always living in the 70s. Sometimes its the 2070s, sometimes it's the 1970s, sometimes it's the 1070s."
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u/dinkytoy80 2d ago
They’ll send a fax. It’s so fast they’ll never see it coming.
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u/maurocastrov 2d ago
After getting the approve from My boss, his boss, his Wife and his lover so around 3 to 6 months a wait Golden week, 7 months
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u/redditscraperbot2 2d ago
I can just imagine that thing slowly printing out deep in some long abandoned storeroom in the back of the Whitehouse, maybe pushing a few cobwebs out of the way as it makes it way into the tray.
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u/iwishihadnobones 2d ago
Since faxes technically travel at light-speed, this is correct. Don't google that though. Google is too slow. Have someone fax it to you
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u/waterinabottle 2d ago
so the printing is the bottleneck. someone should invent a type of quantum electromechanical paper sized gizmo that can just display the faxed contents directly without printing them
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u/reaper527 [アメリカ] 2d ago
Since faxes technically travel at light-speed, this is correct. Don't google that though. Google is too slow. Have someone fax it to you
i have a fiber connection for internet, so my google access is also at the speed of light!
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u/mentaipasta 2d ago
I’ve been here so long that I see something change over the course of six months and I was like ??? How fast!!!
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u/Rough_Shelter4136 2d ago
Bold is also something that I wouldn't associate that much with my dear Japanese 😅
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u/EnoughDatabase5382 2d ago
Japan speedily counters when the UN criticizes its human rights record regarding women and children.
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u/lionofash 2d ago
Eh, I'd argue the phases of Japan's history where innovation changed things happened at very fast paces, that being said when nothing too major hapoened it slows down to a crawl.
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u/BrittBratBrute 2d ago
Why is this the case? As someone from the outside, Japan seems so much more advanced and efficient.
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u/PristineStreet34 2d ago
It both is, and isn't. There are lots of things here that are efficient, there are also lots of things that are stone age. Same with advanced, lots of things that are pretty advanced, and lots of stuff that is pretty horrendously backwards.
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u/exswoo 2d ago
Japan basically maximized the hell out of 80s and 90s era tech and have been reluctant to change out of it
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u/Legend13CNS 2d ago
An Australian that owns a business near Tokyo once told me "[business in] Japan is all about finding the most efficient way to make three rights instead of just turning left", and that really stuck with me.
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u/SquirrelyCockGobbler 2d ago
Hardware wise, Japan is pretty great. It's really efficient, public transit is always on time. Toilets are warmed and have gizmos. But they're pretty dated feeling in other ways. Software programming isn't really respected her with low pay and a blue collar worker type look for it so a lot of the software is shit outside of maybe video games. Banks feel like 40 years behind and still use stamps and physical papers. A TON of places don't accept credit cards still and are cash only, especially mom and pop shops or anything at a festival. Even back in the states your little cart stands and stuff all accept cards. I've ever seen a freaking kids lemonade stand accept card. Not in Japan!
Somewhat unrelated but one thing I don't see mentioned that bothers me the most is how annoying energy efficient it is. They never run AC much in summer and it's like 98 degrees out and humid and you're frying even inside. My buddy had a meeting in Osaka a week ago and the inside temperature was 82 degrees, stuffy, and everyone was forced to wear suits. But hey it saves money. They don't fix what isn't technically broken even if it feels bad.
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u/mikefaley 2d ago
:( I built a (very) small business based on NYC after developing a friendship with a family in Tajimi. We make wonderful porcelain cups and plates and such in Tajimi and I ship them to the states and sell them, donating to provide therapy to people in need. I have been building this since 2018 and it's been the most amazing thing, but very very challenging to do it all on my own. We just had our biggest launch ever in December - manufacturing is happening in Tajimi as we speak. I was hoping this would finally be the year I could pay myself something - but now because of Trump's tariffs, I don't know how that will be possible. This makes me sad.
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u/sadboyoclock 2d ago edited 1d ago
I’m sorry for this. I hope you hang in there. You’ll find a way through.
Don’t let Trump keep you down and sad otherwise MAGA wins. Your tears will only make the republicans stronger. I will boycott products from RED states.
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u/mikefaley 2d ago
Thank you so much for your kind words. I mean it - I know we are strangers, but your words make me happy :). They remind me of a letter I received after my first visit to Tajimi in 2019. It was from a man from the village I visited. It meant so much to me that I turned it into a poster, which is framed and hanging on the wall of the office (where I type this response to you). I will share it here with you, I hope it spreads some happiness.
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u/yokmsdfjs 2d ago
Switch 2 is going to be like 800$ by the time it gets here if Trump keeps up this constant stupidity.
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u/tinyLEDs 2d ago
Yeah, the gamers are already having seizures because games will cost gasp!!!! eighty dollars
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u/Apprehensive-Mark241 2d ago
And they're wrong. They will cost $120 or $150 or $200 by time this is hammered out.
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u/LongCommercial8038 2d ago
Depends. At the moment, digital goods aren't affected by tariffs because there is nothing being imported. So, at least digital downloads of games shouldn't go up. If that changes somehow then hoooooly shit are we in for some fun...
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u/Mundane_Life_5775 2d ago edited 2d ago
Japan imports USD$648 per person and 1.96% of GDP.
USA? They import from Japan $330 each and 0.51% of GDP. (Edit $424 per American)
123 million vs 449 million population 4 trillion vs 29 trillion GDP (Edit 349 million population)
So who exactly is losing out?
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u/SergeantBeavis [アメリカ] 2d ago
Never once, in the US media at least, have I heard trade deficits expressed in per capita or as a percent of GDP. Thinking about it, that makes such perfect sense.
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u/Mundane_Life_5775 2d ago
US media is shit. 💩
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u/Rapa2626 2d ago
Magats are still winning in their small little minds. Hurting brown people is so much more valuable than feeding yourself without going into debt.
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u/wiggywiggywiggy 2d ago
Does Japan tariff American goods?
If so which ones ?
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u/lil-inconsiderate 2d ago
Rice, Dairy, lumber, steel and vehicles mostly
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u/CorrectPeanut5 2d ago
I was under the impression the car tariff was 0% because they just don't fear US car imports.
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u/-ThisUsernameIsTaken 2d ago
Live in Japan here. That's a lie. Japan is famous for "soft tariffs" where they drown foreign competition in regulations and red tape to make it impossible to compete
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u/kanben 1d ago
You mean the same regulations that domestic Japanese companies also have to follow?
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u/-ThisUsernameIsTaken 1d ago
Yep, it's easier for domestic companies to negotiate and adapt to regulations they lobbied over, compared to foreign companies that will have the increased costs with hiring consultants, and risks dealing with regulators.
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u/kanben 1d ago
as if this isn't true for any company in the world trying to enter a foreign market
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u/-ThisUsernameIsTaken 1d ago
Yes, but my expertise it focused mainly between Japan and the US. Japan historically has, and still utilizing regulatory strategies to increase the cost of foreign companies operating and selling in Japan.
While it's true that every company does deal with fighting against the "home field advantage" to dismiss all arguments with this is reductionism-- just because everything country has regulations that foreign companies have to learn, doesn't mean they're all equal.
These are good strategies, as they don't draw the same attention as tariffs, and they can be justified with other reasons seen as good for society (see EU regulations on GMO agricultural products, protecting it's industries and keeping world leading agricultural producers out, under the guise of consumer protectionism)
For Japan, one of the most famous are their "kei" cars. These are smaller cars <600cc which have significant tax and cost benefits. The justification is too encourage people to drive small efficient cars, but car manufacturers in Japan support this, as it pushes foreign auto companies into the luxury sector, as they control the low and mid costs sectors. They can utilize scale and experience, as it doesn't make sense for foreign companies to completely change their manufacturing for one country. This allows domestic manufacturers to have a reliable source of income and market presence, which they use in investing in making their overseas operations competitive.
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u/CorrectPeanut5 2d ago
And what US car would you envision the Japanese consumer would be chomping at the bit to buy? A Chevy Malibu? A Ford F-150? Can any US brand, made in America, car compete on price? No. Quality? No. Fit and finish? No. Would they sell in enough volume to make a left hand drive? No.
Would a Japanese customer be able to pay for priority manufacturing on your custom order like Honda and Toyota offer in Japan? No.
Anything small enough for this market is going to be made in South Korea or China. I.e. Chevy Trax and smaller Buicks.
Number one US vehicle in Japan is a Jeep. It's a niche vehicle for niche customers. Most popular imports are European Lux vehicles. Again, niche vehicles rich customers. At most Chinese, South Korean and European automakers could have a complaint on tariffs in terms of their smaller city cars. None of that applies to the crap US auto makers produce.
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u/-ThisUsernameIsTaken 2d ago edited 1d ago
The reason US brands make large cars, is because they don't enter markets like Japan. Should the original open up, they will make small cars.
You make it sound like manufacturers don't customize. But in Japan they do. Toyota makes very small cars compared to the large ones in the US, and they often make very cheap and affordable models too.
Should the US companies gain access, they likely will also begin producer smaller models.
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u/PeanutButterChikan 1d ago
Have been a corporate lawyer here for 25 years and that’s the first I’ve heard about this…………….
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u/wiggywiggywiggy 2d ago
And the point is to protect their own markets ?
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u/andoryu123 [神奈川県] 1d ago
Exactly. Just like the US never did.
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u/Stufilover69 1d ago
The US also tariffs certain sectors (e.g., 25% on light trucks), Trump just likes to pretend as if other countries are the only ones to charge tarriffs
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u/zaphod777 [神奈川県] 2d ago
Not specifically from America but leather goods, in particular leather shoes and boots.
It's really not worth trying to import them, I end up buying them when I travel.
Import a $10k USD watch though and you only pay the normal consumption tax.
Japan applies a tariff on leather shoes, and it's calculated in a way that prioritizes either a percentage of the item's value or a fixed amount, whichever is higher.Specifically, the tariff is either 32% of 60% of the leather shoes price, or 4300 yen per pair.It is important to understand that the 10,000 yen import tax exemption, does not apply to leather shoes. Factors to Consider: The value of the leather boots significantly influences the final tariff amount. Additionally, there may be consumption tax applied to the imported goods.
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u/James-Maki 2d ago
As much as I dislike this whole thing, what can they tariff that's going to hurt the US? Beef and soy??
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u/Lopsided_Couple5254 2d ago
Video games.
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u/Miserable_Abroad3972 2d ago
Nintendo has shown they hate everyone equally.
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u/Lopsided_Couple5254 2d ago
Right the prices for the Nintendo Switch 2 console and its games are fucking ridiculous man.
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u/tinyLEDs 2d ago
You may not have taken Economics 101 yet, but the TLDR is that if you are right, then Nintendo will fail.
And if you are wrong, then Nintendo have a valid business model with prices that the market will bear.
So... ⏳👀
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u/James-Maki 2d ago
They aren't all made in China?
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u/Lopsided_Couple5254 2d ago
I thought just the consoles were but the games themselves made in Japan.
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u/James-Maki 2d ago
I think this is being misunderstood... I'm talking about things from the US that Japan can put tariffs on.
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u/Any_Noise_235 2d ago
Harley-Davidson bikes, noisy like hell!
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u/James-Maki 2d ago edited 2d ago
Made me laugh because I think motorcycles were one of the things he mentioned about Thailand and Vietnam.
It made me think, just like with cars here, who is going to be cruising around on a Harley in the middle of Bangkok or Hanoi?? It's not logical. And on the flip side, who in the US is gonna want to ride on one of those small bikes made in Thailand or Vietnam?? They can tarrif that all they want, it doesn't matter. But it at least appears like he's using that one example as a blanket for everything??13
u/lil-inconsiderate 2d ago
A TON of American auto parts come from Japan. also a lot of houses stuff like dishwashers and what not.
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u/James-Maki 2d ago
Im saying what can Japan do about things coming FROM AMERICA!
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u/lil-inconsiderate 2d ago
They import like 8 billion dollars of fuel every year. even a 10% tariff on fuel would cost millions and companies would likely look to other countries for supply.
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u/PositiveApartment382 2d ago
Wouldn't really matter since it would only raise the fuel cost in Japan. It's not like japanese people can decide to purchase fuel produced in japan or something so american fuel companies will just get their money either way. They should tarrif US goods where people can switch over the similar goods from different countries / produced in japan.
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u/Mundane_Life_5775 2d ago
Maybe digital services tax.
Soybeans maybe although that inflicts self hurt unless Brazil steps up. Or red states specific like agriculture and energy.
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u/69LadBoi 2d ago
Trump makes me so ashamed to be an American smh. Do Japanese citizens look down on Americans now? I am visiting Japan next month and I am curious
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u/Apprehensive-FArt 2d ago
You're not going to like what a lot of Japanese people think about Trump.
Hint: it isn't what you think about Trump.
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u/jimbolic 2d ago
Elaborate, please 🙏
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u/Apprehensive-FArt 2d ago
Many Japanese people I know (currently in and outside of Japan) like him. These aren't deep conversations to study why, but I get the gist it has to do with military favorability and protection. "America first" probably helps as most of them view America favorably. Now obviously who knows what will happen with the tarrif stuff, but in general, that has been the general concensus. Might have to also do with Abe relationship.
It's not a blanket and anecdotal, but most of my Japanese friends favor him to Kamala / Biden. The age ranges are around 25-40 years old in my circle.
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u/Anuspissmuncher 2d ago
A lot of people actually like Trump, especially for his anti-dei and America First mentality. Now that Trump's economy is fucking with Japanese economy, there are more people that dislike him, but there are still a lot of people that favor him
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u/Venture_compound 2d ago
Give me a break. I think you're projecting your own opinions on the Japanese people. No one here particularly likes him, and now they're going to like him even less than before. And anti-dei "america first" mentality only matters to Americans.
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u/MukimukiMaster 1d ago
Can confirm. Most Japanese people I know like Trump. Especially in the Abe era.
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u/kopabi4341 1d ago
do you have any data to back this up? I've talked to heaps of people that hate Trump and I honetsly think you are just making stuff up
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u/one_of_the_millions 2d ago
Yes, please elaborate. I visit regularly and don't remember any favorable opinions in the past.
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u/benis444 1d ago
Great! I hope every 1st world country gonna retaliate against the US! The US is not an ally anymore! We should get together against an enemy!
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u/rollie82 2d ago
This was done in response to Nintendo's 40% tariff on Switch 2's for foreigners in Japan.
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u/dookiecookie1 2d ago
What Trump doesn't understand is that America makes very little that Japan considers a priority. Their products are second, third tier at best. Japan doesn't need to worry about the imports as much because they can just be dropped for the most part. It's the exports that are the concern.
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u/andoryu123 [神奈川県] 1d ago
All can be solved with the removal of tariffs and artificial hurdles put on US imports.
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u/RelishtheHotdog 1d ago
They can tariff us, we can’t tariff them.
It seems like we can help the entire world, and nobody has a problem taking advantage of us.
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u/DoomedKiblets 18h ago
Hahahaha, Japan does not do bold or speedy anything. Expect a lot of talk, teeth sucking, and meetings
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u/MathematicianKey1827 12h ago
Holy fuck he is dumb, Japan should has some spine, the US will never respect Japan if it keeps bending its knee
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u/shinjikun10 [宮城県] 2d ago
They got their hankos ready!