KEY TAKEAWAYS
- US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was in Tokyo on 12 May for meetings with Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and other top leaders.
- Despite past remarks critical of the Japanese government’s policy mix, the visit may have been more about reassuring Japan ahead of the US-China leaders’ summit than applying pressure on macroeconomic policy.
- The treasury secretary’s visit may have offered little reassurance on the US-China summit, and if he did express concerns about macroeconomic policy, it is unlikely to persuade the Takaichi government to change course.
Japan Foresight 