Politics & Government

Japan, U.S. Fail to Make Final Decision on $550 Bil. Investment Plan Project

Keiichi Nakane / The Yomiuri Shimbun
Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Ryosei Akazawa speaks to reporters after meeting with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington on Thursday.

By Yukinobu Sakamoto / Yomiuri Shimbun Correspondent

2:00 JST, February 14, 2026

WASHINGTON — Tokyo and Washington failed to make a final decision regarding the inaugural project of a $550 billion (about ¥84 trillion) investment package in the United States on Thursday. The project is a key part of the bilateral deal that was reached during tariff negotiations.

Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Ryosei Akazawa held a meeting with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington on the day.

“There was some progress, but some points still need to be coordinated,” Akazawa told reporters after the meeting, effectively admitting that the two sides were unable to make a final decision.

Following the roughly 90-minute meeting at the U.S. Commerce Department, Akazawa stressed his resolve to fast-track any changes before the Japan-U.S. summit in March. He said that he will keep the political calendar in mind as talks move forward.

Three projects have been discussed as candidates for the inaugural investment: the construction of gas-fired power plants; the development of crude oil shipping ports; and the building of synthetic diamond manufacturing facilities, according to government sources.

Akazawa refrained from talking about the details of the projects discussed during the meeting.