Japan's top trade official, Ryosei Akazawa, had two phone calls with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick this week—one on Thursday and another on Saturday. The discussions were described as "in-depth exchanges," though the specific topics weren't disclosed.

Editor’s Note: While the details are vague, back-to-back calls between high-level trade officials suggest something's brewing—possibly negotiations or coordination on economic policy. Given the U.S. and Japan's tight trade ties, even routine talks matter, especially with global supply chains and tech competition in flux. Keep an eye out for follow-ups.