Japan may not be able to reach a trade deal with the United States by the end of July

Japan has signalled it is prepared to strike a better deal with US President Don Trump on trade tariffs rather than risk a domestic political backlash. Japan is keen to avoid any deterioration in relations with Washington, and Shigeru Ishiba, prime minister, initially made it a priority to get to the US negotiating table before other countries. But business leaders and members of Mr. Ishiba's Liberal Democratic party have asked him to reject any deal that endangers the auto industry or threatens farmers at home, forcing him to rethink, officials and analysts said. "While Japan is very keen to be the first country to negotiate with Washington on tariffs, the sense of urgency has now shifted and the focus is on making sure Japan gets a good deal," said one Japanese official. Officials said a deal was unlikely to be reached before the country's upper house elections. Elections for Japan's upper house will be held at the end of July and are expected to be a major test for the deeply unpopular Shigeru Ishiba government. (Jin Ten)