Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa / In response to the announcement, we have once again conveyed to the U.S. government that this action (tariffs) is extremely regrettable, and we have strongly requested it be reconsidered. 

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi said that Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru had instructed them to request an exemption from the United States and to closely examine the impact on domestic industry. 

Hayashi also said that Ishiba had instructed to take all possible measures to deal with the situation including financial assistance.  

The new 24 percent reciprocal tariff proposed by Trump has shocked those in the ruling party as well. 

A senior official of the Liberal Democratic Party said that it was more severe than expected, and could cause devastating damage to domestic industry. 

Ishiba has told those around him that Trump has misunderstandings over the trade relationship between the two countries.  

He is expected to step up efforts to have Japan exempted from the reciprocal tariffs.