1. Japan’s top negotiator in tariff talks with the United States is scheduled to leave for Washington on Friday. Economic Revitalization Minister Akazawa Ryosei is expected to engage in a third round of ministerial discussions the following day. He said on Tuesday, “It’s important to achieve an agreement that’s a win for both countries. Japan’s national interests must not be damaged by prioritizing an early consensus.
2. NHK has learned that Japanese police have obtained arrest warrants for two Vietnamese nationals suspected of directing a shoplifting ring in Japan from their home country. Sources close to the investigation say a joint task force, including the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, has secured warrants for Nguyen Ba Thanh and Nguyen Thu Huyen. 3. US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin discussed Ukraine over the phone on Monday. Both leaders said their conversation went well but no major progress was made on negotiations to reach peace. Putin stressed Moscow’s conventional claims, saying the main thing is to eliminate the root causes of the crisis.