Japanese Foreign Minister meets with U.S. Secretary of State to convey "unwavering regret" over U.S. Steel's acquisition

Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said in a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken today (7th) that President Joe Biden conveyed his regret over ordering Japan Steel not to take over US Steel.

"It is very regrettable that the decision to suspend the acquisition was made on the grounds of national security concerns," Iwaya told a regular news conference after meeting with Blinken in Tokyo.

"There are strong voices of concern and concern in the business community and we cannot help but take it seriously," he said, calling for dispelling concerns over economic cooperation between the two countries.

It is not known how Blinken responded to the demand.

The foreign minister also strongly condemned North Korea's ballistic missile launch and reaffirmed the importance of South Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation in responding to North Korea, including nuclear and missile issues and abductees, Japan's foreign ministry said.

Following his meeting with Iwaya, Blinken paid a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at the prime minister's residence in Tokyo.

Prime Minister Ishiba also confirmed to Blinken the importance of U.S.-Japan economic relations, including investment by Japanese companies in the U.S., with the U.S. Steel issue in mind, Japan's Foreign Ministry said.

Secretary Blinken's visit to Japan is a farewell visit before the Trump administration is launched on the 20th, and he will visit France following South Korea and Japan by the 9th.