The US decision to impose 25% tariffs on 1 August has caught the Ishiba government off guard, as it considers its options given the difficulty of concluding an agreement before the upper house elections.
The US tariff announcement will not necessarily alter the outlook for the elections, but the outcome of the elections could affect whether the Japanese government is able to conclude a deal in their aftermath.
The manner in which the US informed Japan of the tariffs has prompted shock and anger in Tokyo, suggesting growing doubts about the bilateral relationship.
