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"What's Updog?" is a Community Led token.

UpDog

UpDog ($UPDOG.X) is trending, and the community is actively engaging in the classic "What's UpDog?" joke, driving much of the conversation. This meme coin on the Solana network, with locked liquidity and a dedicated community, is striving to be the top dog. Amidst the humor, some users are questioning the token's utility and suggesting that the trending status might be artificially driven.

Memecoin on Cronos launched by the Cro Crow community

crow with knife

The "crow with knife" ($CAW.X) crypto is trending as its community rallies behind the meme coin, emphasizing its multi-chain presence and deflationary mechanisms. Active discussions highlight the strength of the community and the potential for significant gains. The coin's presence on multiple chains like Solana, BSC, Cronos, and ETH (Base) is a key talking point.

Moonlake Immunotherapeutics operates as a clinical-stage biotechnology company. It offers tri-specific Nanobody, Sonelokimab to address significant unmet needs in inflammatory skin and joint diseases. The company was founded by Kristian Reich, Jorge Santos da Silva, and Arnout Ploos van Amstel in 2021 and is headquartered in Zug, Switzerland.

MoonLake Immunotherapeutics - Ordinary Shares - Class A

MLTX is trending due to positive Phase 2 trial results for its hidradenitis suppurativa treatment, sonelokimab, generating significant community excitement. Discussions revolve around the drug's potential efficacy and a possible acquisition, with some speculating on buyout prices and comparing it to competitor data. The stock's high short interest and potential for a squeeze are also being actively discussed.

Meet Pandu — your AI friend who’s always by your side. Talk with him in real time through text or voice, share your thoughts, ask questions, or just enjoy a casual conversation. Whether you’re looking for advice, company, or simply someone to listen, Pandu is here as a true companion you can connect with anytime.  Pandu unites real-time conversation, creative generation, and future-ready AI systems — all powered by next-gen technology.

Pandu Pandas

Pandu Pandas ($PANDU.X) is trending, with community members highlighting its recent listing on MEXC and drawing comparisons to other successful meme coins. Bullish sentiment is fueled by perceived solid fundamentals and the project's NFT ranking, with many urging others to research the token. Some users are also discussing preferred wallets for holding $PANDU.X.

BRETT the dancer, gamer, and cultural icon of BASE chain (some like to call me the PEPE of BASE).

Brett

BRETT.X is trending as the community discusses its potential, particularly within the Base ecosystem, while comparing it to other meme coins like TOSHI.X and JTRAMBO. Bullish sentiment is fueled by technical analysis suggesting upside continuation and speculation around a possible Binance or Coinbase listing. Some traders are suggesting it might be time to accumulate $BRETT.X

A composable native asset bridge with unified liquidity and instant guaranteed finality

Stargate

Stargate is trending due to news of LayerZero's acquisition, with a community vote passing for STG holders to convert to ZRO. There's also buzz around the token's role in bridging and burning $CAW.X, with some users highlighting Hyperliquid's new direct deposit feature via Stargate.

LayerZero

LayerZero is trending due to its role in enabling cross-chain functionality, particularly with meme coin $CAW.X. The community is highlighting $CAW.X as the first Cronos project to utilize LayerZero, similar to how $USDC.X and $PEPE.X use it, expressing bullish sentiment and discussing its multichain capabilities.

WeRide, Inc. is a holding company, which engages in the sale of autonomous driving vehicles, primarily including robobuses, robotaxis, robosweepers, and related sensor suites. The company was founded by Tony Xu Han and Yan Li on March 13, 2017 and is headquartered in Guangzhou, China.

WeRide Inc. - ADR

WeRide ($WRD) is trending due to positive Q2 earnings, highlighting significant robotaxi revenue growth and expanded global operations, including a new permit in Saudi Arabia. The community is discussing the partnership with Bosch for mass production of ADAS systems and upcoming collaboration with UBER and GRAB, though some express frustration with the stock's price action despite the positive news.

BlackRock Institutional Trust Company N.A. - iShares Gold Trust Micro

iShares Gold Trust Micro ETF

IAUM is trending as gold prices rally, driven by factors like recession fears and geopolitical uncertainty, leading to discussions about gold's role as a safe-haven asset. Community members are actively weighing IAUM against other gold ETFs and physical gold, considering factors like fees, liquidity, and tax implications for long-term holdings. Some analysts predict further gains for gold, citing potential shifts in investment from U.S. Treasuries.

Green Satoshi Token

Green Satoshi Token is trending as community members anticipate a potential pump, citing increasing volume and technical indicators that suggest a possible breakout. Some traders are drawing comparisons to previous rallies, while others urge patience as they await a significant move. Discussions also mention the broader context of Solana coins potentially rising, adding to the speculative buzz around GSTSOL.X.

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Japanese automakers pledged to keep wage growth on track after the U.S. and Japan finalized a trade deal that slashed tariffs on cars, light trucks and auto parts to 15% from 27.5%, easing pressure on one of Japan’s most important export sectors.Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association chair Masanori Katayama said Wednesday the industry would “wholeheartedly strive to ensure the virtuous cycle of wage increases continues,” speaking in Tokyo alongside chief negotiator Ryosei Akazawa, who led the July 22 deal, Bloomberg&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-17/japan-s-carmakers-pledge-to-keep-up-wage-growth-momentum">reported</a>.Akazawa said the compromise “managed to hold our ground at the very last moment” and urged carmakers to back a $550 billion U.S. investment fund tied to the accord.The executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Sept. 4 set the new 15% baseline duty on Japanese auto imports starting Tuesday, with separate treatment for aerospace products.&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/japan-tariff-cut-takes-effect-tuesday-us-lowers-duties-on-cars-light-trucks-and-auto-parts-to-15/chwybKPRdUy">Tokyo agreed to offset measures</a>, including the procurement of 100 Boeing aircraft, increased purchases of U.S. farm and defense goods, and discussions on an Alaskan LNG offtake deal.Meanwhile, trade data show Japan’s car exports to the U.S. fell in August, with shipment value down 28.4% and volumes off 9.5%, as automakers cut prices to defend market share. Toyota, which had warned of a $10 billion profit hit from higher levies, said the new framework provides “much-needed clarity” for the industry.On Stocktwits, retail sentiment leaned ‘bullish’ for the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) and the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ), both seeing ‘normal’ message volume, while the iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) drew a more ‘neutral’ stance from traders amid ‘low’ activity.So far this year,&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/SPY">SPY</a> has gained 13.3% and&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/QQQ">QQQ</a> is up 15.9%, while&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/EWJ">EWJ</a> has outperformed both with a 22.2% rise.For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

A lot of cars are lined up for importing and exporting cars to the port.

Japanese Carmakers Vow To Sustain Wage Growth As Trump’s Trade Deal Slashes Auto Tariffs 

Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association chair Masanori Katayama said the industry would “wholeheartedly strive to ensure the virtuous cycle of wage increases continues” following the tariff cut.

Equity

The U.S. will start charging a 15% tariff on Japanese cars, light trucks and auto parts from early Tuesday morning, Customs and Border Protection said, putting into effect a trade deal the two countries sealed in July.The change, laid out in an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Sept. 4, reduces auto duties from 27.5% and establishes a baseline 15% tariff on nearly all Japanese imports, with separate treatment for aerospace products.&nbsp;Japan’s top trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/us-to-implement-lower-15-tariffs-on-japanese-cars-and-auto-parts-by-next-week/chw0njNRdrt">welcomed the move last week</a>, saying in a post on X that the order represented “steady implementation of the agreement reached on July 22” after months of talks.&nbsp;Tokyo has pushed hard for relief, viewing auto tariffs as a critical issue for its export-heavy economy. The auto sector accounts for Japan’s largest share of exports to the U.S., and is a major driver of employment and wage growth.As part of the broader deal, Japan pledged to create a $550 billion U.S. investment fund, procure 100 Boeing aircraft, expand purchases of American agricultural goods and defense equipment, and explore an Alaskan liquefied natural gas offtake agreement. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has cautioned that Japan could face higher duties if the investment pledge is not fulfilled.Trump’s tariffs have weighed heavily on Japanese exporters. Toyota, which previously warned of a $10 billion profit hit from levies, said the new framework provides “much-needed clarity.” Two-way trade between the U.S. and Japan totaled nearly $230 billion in 2024, with Japan running a surplus of about $70 billion.On Stocktwits, retail sentiment was ‘bullish’ for the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) and the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) with ‘normal’ message volume, while sentiment for the iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) was ‘neutral’ on ‘low’ activity.So far this year,&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/SPY">SPY</a> is up 13.4% and&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/QQQ">QQQ</a> has gained 16%, while&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/EWJ">EWJ</a> has climbed 22.2%, outperforming both.For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

So far this year, SPY is up 13.4% and QQQ has gained 16%, while EWJ has climbed 22.2%, outperforming both. (Photo credit: Getty Images)

Japan Tariff Cut Takes Effect Tuesday: US Lowers Duties On Cars, Light Trucks And Auto Parts To 15% 

The reduction stems from a Trump administration trade deal that also includes Japan’s pledge to create a $550 billion U.S. investment fund and boost purchases of American goods.

SoftBank Group Corp.’s (SFTBY) Tokyo-listed shares have seen a strong two-day surge, mirroring the buoyancy seen in Oracle stock after the Larry Ellison-founded company spoke about strong artificial intelligence (AI) momentum.The rally in SoftBank, which has a significant weighting in Japan’s Nikkei 225 average, pushed the country’s benchmark index to a new high.&nbsp;Oracle’s Nasdaq-listed stock settled Wednesday's session up nearly 36%, after Ellison and CEO Safra Catz highlighted the company’s AI opportunity in the quarterly release and during the earnings call.&nbsp;The optimism seeped down to SoftBank’s stock, an investment holding company run by Masayoshi Son that invests heavily in technology through its SoftBank Vision Funds (SVF).While speaking at SoftBank’s annual shareholder meeting held in July, Son expressed hopes to transform his company into the “world’s top platformer for ASI [artificial super intelligence] as he believed that it would be a winner-takes-all arena. “I’m all in,” he had said.Son was found alongside Ellison and OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman in late January when President Donald Trump announced a $500 billion private investment through a project dubbed Stargate to expand AI infrastructure in the U.S. over the next five years.Softbank and OpenAI are the lead partners, with the former focusing on operations and the latter on the financials. The two companies, along with Oracle and Abu Dhabi-based MGX, were named as equity partners.The AI optimism will likely lift the SoftBank stock, according to Andrew Jackson of Ortus Advisors, MarketWatch&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/softbank-shares-on-track-for-record-close-after-oracle-s-ai-contract-wins-51bbe9a8?mod=markets">said.</a>Referring to the&nbsp;surge in SoftBank’s Tokyo-listed stock on Wednesday, Jackson said, “Expect a nice bump higher for Softbank Group on this after its 7.3% move higher yesterday as investors joined the dots between this and Oracle's connection, when only months ago Masayoshi Son [SoftBank chief executive] and Larry Ellison [Oracle chairman] stood together as Trump announced the Stargate program," he wrote on SmartKarma, an investment intelligence platform.On Stocktwits, retail sentiment toward SoftBank stock remained ‘bearish’ (30/100) by late Wednesday, and the message volume was ‘low.’<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:618/53;" src="https://news.stocktwits-cdn.com/Screenshot_2025_09_11_at_1_42_50_AM_png_16cfbd7557.webp" alt="Screenshot 2025-09-11 at 1.42.50 AM.png" width="618" height="53"><figcaption>SFTBY sentiment and message volume as of 1:40 a.m. ET, Sept. 11 | source: Stocktwits</figcaption></figure>The firm reported in early August first-quarter profits that were double that of the consensus estimates, thanks to the earnings from its bets in Nvidia and its other tech portfolio that are part of the SVF.SoftBank’s stock, which trades over the counter (OTC) in the U.S., has gained 95% this year.For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.Read Next:&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/slb-appl-nvda-mrk-gild-what-sparked-heavy-after-hours-trading/chwNErNRdHi">SLB, Apple, Nvidia, Merck, Gilead Sciences: What Sparked Heavy After-Hours Trading In These 5 Stocks?</a>

The SoftBank Group logo is displayed on a mobile phone with a stock graph in the background, in this photo illustration in Brussels, Belgium, on August 20, 2025. 

Oracle Surge Sends Ripple Effect To SoftBank: Analyst Sees More Gains As Investors 'Joined The Dots' On $500B Stargate AI Program

The rally in SoftBank, which has a significant weighting in Japan’s Nikkei 225 average, pushed the country’s benchmark index to a new high. 

U.S. tariffs on Japanese goods, including cars and auto parts, will be lowered by Sept. 16, easing pressure on Japan’s export-heavy economy and its auto sector.Japan’s top trade negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/ryosei_akazawa/status/1965181980200632827">said in a post on X</a> that a U.S. Federal Register notice published on Sept. 9 formalized President Donald Trump’s executive order implementing the U.S.-Japan trade deal struck in July.The revised tariff schedule takes effect seven days from publication and applies retroactively from Aug. 7.The order lowers tariffs on Japanese cars to 15% from 27.5% and ensures that goods already facing duties above that rate, such as beef, will not face additional levies. Products previously taxed below 15% will be adjusted to that level, while commercial airplanes and parts are exempt, according to a Reuters&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.reuters.com/business/trump-signs-order-bring-lower-japanese-auto-tariffs-into-effect-2025-09-05/">report</a>.“Finally,” Akazawa&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/ryosei_akazawa/status/1963709950670069839">wrote on X</a>, referencing months of negotiations that required 10 trips to Washington. He later told reporters Japan welcomed the order as “a steady implementation of the agreement reached on July 22.”The executive order also confirmed Japan’s pledge to invest $550 billion in U.S. projects by 2029 and to boost purchases of U.S. agricultural goods and defense equipment. A joint statement said Tokyo would procure 100 Boeing aircraft and explore an Alaskan liquefied natural gas offtake agreement.Trump’s levies on global shipments have weighed heavily on Japanese exporters. Toyota, which has warned of a $10 billion profit hit from tariffs, said the new framework “provides much-needed clarity.”&nbsp;Two-way trade between the U.S. and Japan reached nearly $230 billion in 2024, with Japan running a surplus of about $70 billion.On Stocktwits, retail sentiment was 'bullish' on the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) and 'extremely bearish' on the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ), both with 'normal' message volumes, while sentiment on the iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) was 'neutral' amid 'high' message volume.So far this year,&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/SPY">SPY</a> is up 11.4% and&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/QQQ">QQQ</a> has gained 13.5%, while&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/EWJ">EWJ</a> has climbed 21.6%, outperforming both U.S. benchmarks.For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

Japan's Minister in charge of Economic Revitalization Ryosei Akazawa attends a budget committee meeting of an extraordinary session at the Lower House of the Diet on August 4 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images)

US To Implement Lower 15% Tariffs On Japanese Cars And Auto Parts By Next Week 

The order, formalised in a U.S. Federal Register notice, also confirms Tokyo’s $550 billion U.S. investment package and new purchases of American agricultural products and defense equipment.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who was instrumental in clinching the historical tariff deal with the U.S. after protracted negotiations, has called it quits. The move was expected as the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/japan-s-ruling-party-loses-grip-as-trump-tariff-deadline-looms/ch8qvTDR5A4">lost its majority</a> in the lower house in an election held in July.With that, the LDP was without a majority in either house for the first time.Japanese public broadcaster NHK&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20250907_11/">reported</a> on Sunday that Ishiba conveyed his decision to step down at a press conference and clarified that he would not run in the LDP’s upcoming special leadership contest.The Japanese stock market has reacted broadly positively to the development. On Monday, the Nikkei 225 average climbed nearly 1.50% at last check.The&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/EWJ">iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ)</a>, an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that tracks an index comprising Japanese stocks, has rallied 19% year-to-date (YTD).&nbsp; In comparison, the&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/SPY">SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF (SPY)</a>, an exchange-traded fund (ETF) and the&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/QQQ">Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ)</a> have gained 11.10% and 12.98%, respectively, for the year.On the other hand, the Japanese yen weakened significantly against the U.S. dollar, with the former’s retreat attributed to expectations that the Bank of Japan may not raise interest rates amid the uncertainty.According to a Nikkei&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://asia.nikkei.com/business/markets/equities/japan-stocks-near-fresh-intraday-high-as-pm-ishiba-resigns">report</a>, Tokai Tokyo Intelligence Laboratory analyst Ryotaro Sawada said, “With rising political uncertainty, the market is starting to doubt whether the Bank of Japan will be able to raise rates this year.”The next rate-setting meeting of the central bank is scheduled for Sept. 18-19.&nbsp;The NHK report stated that Ishiba’s decision to step down was due to a sense of closure, as the U.S.-Japanese trade deal is now officially concluded, with U.S. President Donald Trump signing an&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/trump-signs-executive-order-to-seal-japan-trade-pact/chw4vxJRdp3">executive order</a> to that effect last week. Apart from confirming the 15% tariff rate, the deal also reduced the auto tariffs to the baseline rate from the 27.5% discussed previously.The outgoing prime minister felt that it was his responsibility to close the deal as he viewed the tariff imbroglio as a “national crisis.”President Trump, meanwhile, reacted to the development. Talking to reporters in Washington after heading back from watching the U.S. Open finals in New York, the U.S. president said, “I was surprised, because I knew him, I liked him, and he's just now stepping down,” Japanese National Daily Mainichi reported. "I found him to be a very nice man, actually. We dealt very well together."Before his departure to the sporting event, when he was asked about the leadership change in Japan, he professed no knowledge of it.&nbsp;A U.S. State Department official reportedly told Kyodo&nbsp;News that regardless of Ishiba’s decision, the U.S. looks forward to “continuing our work with the government of Japan.”Trump was non-committal when a reporter asked whether he would visit Japan this fall, along with South Korea, which hosts this year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meet.Looking ahead, the LDP is&nbsp;considering how to choose its new leader, with former party Secretary General Motegi Toshimitsu reportedly throwing his hat in the ring, according to a separate NHK&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20250908_06/">report</a>. The party is discussing the format and schedule of a leadership race, it added.For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.Read Next:&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/economist-flags-most-disconcerting-jobs-data-signal-hinting-at-us-recession/chwWkgQRdqC">Economist Who Predicted 2008 Financial Crisis Flags ‘Most Disconcerting’ Jobs Data Signal Hinting At US Recession</a>

Shigeru Ishiba, Japan's Prime Minister, attends a press conference at the Prime Minister's Office on September 06, 2025 in Tokyo, Japan.

Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba Opts To Step Down As Tariff Deal With US Brings Closure To ‘National Crisis’ — Trump Says ‘I’m Surprised’

The outgoing prime minister believed it was his responsibility to resolve the tariff issue, as he viewed it as a “national crisis.”

President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order to implement the U.S.-Japan trade deal that was struck in late July, as both parties ironed out the wrinkles.&nbsp;A White House statement said, “Under the Agreement, the United States will apply a baseline 15 percent tariff on nearly all Japanese imports entering the United States, alongside separate sector-specific treatment for automobiles and automobile parts; aerospace products; generic pharmaceuticals; and natural resources that are not naturally available or produced in the United States.”The new tariff framework, along with expanded U.S. exports and investment-driven production, will help reduce the country’s trade deficit with Japan, it added.Trump sought Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to launch a procedure to modify the auto tariffs to 15% from 27.5% previously, within seven days of the duty cut being published in the Federal Register.Japan has agreed to expeditiously implement a 75% increase in the procurement of American rice and also purchase other agricultural products, including corn, soybeans, fertilizer, bioethanol, and others, totaling $8 billion per year.The executive order also firms up the $500 billion Japanese investment in the U.S., which is expected to generate additional jobs and expand domestic manufacturing.Following the formalization of the trade deal, the Japanese stocks started Friday’s session solidly higher, with the upside coming despite the yen’s strengthening.&nbsp; Auto stocks listed on the Japanese stock exchange opened notably higher but have since then come off the highs.The&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/EWJ">iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ)</a>, an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that tracks the investment results of the MSCI Japan Index, was seen up nearly half a percent in overnight trading. The ETF has gained over 18% so far this year compared to the 11.42% rise for the&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/SPY">SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF (SPY)</a> and the 12.81% advance by the&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/QQQ">Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ)</a>.The formal ratification of the U.S.-Japan trade deal came after several bickerings. In late August, Japan’s top trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa canceled his visit to the U.S., with the country clarifying that specific points required further technical discussion and that, therefore, discussions were to continue at the administrative level.It also comes at a time when Trump is fighting a legal battle to establish the legitimacy of his move to implement tariffs under the “International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.Read Next:&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/ray-dalio-warns-fed-rate-cut-in-september-could-trigger-stagflation-risk/chwdgimRdpP">Ray Dalio Warns Fed Rate Cut In September Could Trigger Stagflation Risk</a>

U.S. President Donald Trump attends an executive order signing event in the Oval Office of the White House on March 31, 2025, in Washington, DC. 

Trump Signs Executive Order To Seal Japan Trade Pact, Slashes Auto Tariffs To 15%

Japan has agreed to expeditiously implement a 75% increase in the procurement of American rice and also purchase other agricultural products.

Japan’s top trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa departed for Washington on Thursday for ministerial talks on the July trade deal, saying lower-level discussions had concluded and both sides agreed to implement the accord “faithfully and swiftly.”&nbsp;The visit follows his&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/japan-s-akazawa-plans-yet-another-us-trip-as-japan-awaits-trump-s-order-on-auto-tariff-rollback/chtTPR6RdZ0">abrupt cancellation</a> of a U.S. trip last week, which fueled speculation&nbsp;that friction&nbsp;was delaying the implementation of both tariff cuts and a planned $550 billion investment initiative, Bloomberg&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-04/japan-s-akazawa-heads-to-us-after-progress-on-staff-level-talks">reported</a>.Autos remain central&nbsp;to Tokyo, which is pressing the U.S. to follow through on its pledge to reduce car tariffs and fold a separate longstanding 2.5% levy into a new 15% rate as outlined in the July 22 agreement.&nbsp;Akazawa reiterated Japan’s expectation that U.S. President Donald Trump will issue an executive order to formalize the cuts before he returns to Japan on Saturday, though it is unclear which U.S. officials he will meet.On agriculture, Akazawa&nbsp;again rejected reports that Japan had agreed to tariff cuts or expanded quotas beyond existing caps. He said Tokyo would handle U.S. requests to boost rice purchases within its current duty-free ceiling, denying any compromise that would “sacrifice agriculture.”&nbsp;Japan imported 346,000 metric tons of American rice last year out of 770,000 tons under its duty-free quota, and Washington has said the deal requires an immediate 75% increase in U.S. imports, which would cut into shipments from suppliers such as Thailand, Australia and China.While Tokyo seeks auto tariff relief, Washington is pressing for proof of Japan’s promised investment flows into U.S. manufacturing, with details of the $550 billion initiative still unclear.On Stocktwits, retail sentiment was ‘bullish’ with ‘normal’ message volume for the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) and ‘high’ volume for the iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ), while sentiment for the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) was ‘bearish’ with ‘normal’ volume.So far this year,&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/QQQ">SPY</a> is up 10.5% and&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/QQQ">QQQ</a> has gained 11.8%, while&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/EWJ">EWJ</a> has outperformed with a 17% rise.For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

Japan’s Top Trade Envoy Heads To Washington Again As July Deal Moves To Next Stage

The visit follows last week’s abrupt cancellation, which sparked speculation about friction, as Tokyo presses for U.S. auto tariff cuts while rejecting calls to expand rice imports.

A top Bank of Japan official reportedly blamed the Trump administration’s tariffs on a broad political and social movement that transcends economic goals, in a rare comment by the central banker about the U.S. policies.According to a report <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/boj-deputy-governor-sees-trump-tariffs-transcending-economic-goals-2025-09-03/">by Reuters</a>, the remarks were made by Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Ryozo Himino during a speech on Tuesday, which primarily focused on the economy and risks, but also included his "personal" observation on the philosophy of Trump's policies.The U.S. administration adopts a holistic approach that treats political, economic, and cultural matters as "integral parts of a single, inseparable policy agenda," he reportedly said.As such, Trump's tariffs are a confluence of several elements like the need for better trade terms, stronger economic security, a political agenda of fairness and distribution, as well as a "cultural protest against intellectual elites," he reportedly added.Throughout his presidential campaign, Trump had accused the key trading partners of the U.S. of stealing from America due to their large trade surpluses. Since taking the oath for the second time, Trump has imposed a barrage of levies, which he says are crucial for the national interest.<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%;"><img style="aspect-ratio:4123/2749;" src="https://news.stocktwits-cdn.com/Getty_Images_1469079526_jpg_4e7811be0c.webp" alt="Bank of Japan (BOJ) Deputy Governor nominee Ryozo Himino speaks during a hearing at the lower house of parliament on February 24, 2023 in Tokyo, Japan." width="4123" height="2749"><figcaption>Bank of Japan (BOJ) Deputy Governor nominee Ryozo Himino speaks during a hearing at the lower house of parliament on February 24, 2023 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>Himino reportedly stated that the tariff policy is unfettered from conventional wisdom and orthodoxy, and focuses on facts that define "the locus and sources of power," and explores opportunities not yet exploited.He further elaborated that while economics textbooks preach the benefits of free trade, a superpower like the U.S. may see more merit in imposing moderate tariffs as it has leverage to deter retaliatory levies from other countries.Japan is pressing the U.S. to follow through on its pledge to cut auto tariffs and fold a separate longstanding 2.5% levy into a new 15% rate as discussed in a July deal. However, it is <a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/japan-resists-us-rice-import-pressure-seeks-auto-tariff-relief-amid-550-b-deal-uncertainty/chv6LuzRdV6">reluctant to give in </a>to the U.S. pressure on agricultural imports to protect Japanese farmers.Retail sentiment on Stocktwits about <a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/EWJ">iShares MSCI Japan ETF</a> was in the ‘bullish’ territory at the time of writing.Himino added that deepening domestic social and economic divisions may also validate an argument made by some pundits that an efficient financial system, such as free trade, may not necessarily be ideal for achieving social fairness and redistribution.Also See: <a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/china-s-xi-issues-stark-warning-as-trump-cries-conspiracy-against-us/chwTlnVRdFZ">World Faces ‘Peace Or War’: China's Xi Issues Stark Warning As Trump Cries Conspiracy Against US</a>For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

 U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media in the Oval Office at the White House on September 2, 2025 in Washington, DC. 

Top Bank Of Japan Official Believes Trump’s Tariffs Go Beyond Economics: ‘Cultural Protest Against Intellectual Elites’

The U.S. administration adopts a holistic approach that treats political, economic, and cultural matters as "integral parts of a single, inseparable policy agenda," he reportedly said.

Japan will handle U.S. requests to boost rice purchases within its existing duty-free quota and has no plans to cut farm tariffs, Tokyo’s top trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa said on Tuesday.The Japanese envoy denied a Nikkei report that Washington wanted tariff cuts on agricultural goods included in a July 22 trade deal or an expansion of U.S. rice imports beyond Japan’s overall cap, according to a Bloomberg&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-02/japan-to-buy-us-rice-within-overall-limit-on-duty-free-imports">report</a>.&nbsp;“The agreement didn’t involve lowering tariffs on agricultural products,” Akazawa said. “I’ve done absolutely no negotiation that would sacrifice agriculture, and there’s no change on that.”His canceled trip to Washington last week to finalize a $550 billion investment initiative has fueled speculation that friction may delay the implementation of the deal.&nbsp;Japan is pressing the U.S. to follow through on its pledge to cut auto tariffs and fold a separate&nbsp;longstanding 2.5% levy into a new 15% rate&nbsp;as discussed in a July deal. No joint document on the deal has been released publicly.Akazawa&nbsp;stated that there was no gap in the understanding between the two sides and that Japan would determine how to meet U.S. rice demands within its current tariff-free import ceiling. He has not rescheduled his visit.The White House stated that the deal requires Japan to immediately increase U.S. rice imports by 75%, expanding the quotas.&nbsp;Japan imported 346,000 metric tons of American rice last year, out of a total of 770,000 tons of duty-free rice. Lifting the U.S. share to about 600,000 tons would cut imports from suppliers such as Thailand, Australia, and China.While Tokyo pushes for auto tariff relief, Washington has yet to see Japanese investment funds flow into its manufacturing sector, leaving details of the $550 billion initiative unclear.On Stocktwits, retail sentiment was bullish on the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) and the iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ), with low message volume for SPY and high for EWJ.Meanwhile, sentiment on the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) was bearish amid low volume.So far this year,&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/SPY">SPY</a> is up 10.7%,&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/QQQ">QQQ</a> has gained 11.9%, while&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/EWJ">EWJ</a> has outperformed with a 17.6% rise.For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

Japan's newly named Economic Revitalization Minister, Ryosei Akazawa, arrives at the prime minister's official residence on October 1, 2024. (Photo by David Mareuil/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Japan Resists US Rice Import Pressure, Seeks Auto Tariff Relief Amid $550B Deal Uncertainty

Tokyo’s top trade negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, said agriculture was not part of the July trade deal, denying reports that tariff cuts were under discussion.

Japan’s top trade negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, said he expects to make at least one more visit to the U.S. before President Donald Trump issues an executive order to lower tariffs on Japanese goods, even as uncertainty lingers over when the agreed cuts will take effect.Akazawa abruptly canceled a planned U.S. trip on Thursday, saying further administrative-level talks were required. Japanese officials are already in Washington holding discussions with their American counterparts, Bloomberg&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-29/japan-akazawa-says-expects-to-visit-us-before-executive-order">reported</a>.The cancellation underscores delays in implementing a deal struck on July 22, under which the U.S. agreed to lower tariffs on cars and auto parts to 15% from 25% and to end the stacking of existing duties on top of a 15% across-the-board levy.&nbsp;Akazawa has said the revisions and cuts should take place simultaneously and urged Washington to act “as soon as possible, even a day sooner, or even a moment sooner.”While the impact of stacked tariffs is expected to be minor, the issue has sparked criticism of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s handling of the negotiations following an election setback. Akazawa has indicated the U.S. would refund any overpaid duties once the new framework is in place.The Trump administration, meanwhile, is focused on launching a $550 billion U.S. investment vehicle tied to the agreement, which Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has said could be disclosed this week.&nbsp;Details of how the fund will operate remain unclear, with Japan expected to contribute under a 90:10 split.South Korea agreed to a similar trade pact with Washington in late July, including a $350 billion fund, and has already announced $150 billion in additional U.S. investments.&nbsp;Akazawa has previously pointed to the U.K. trade deal, which took 54 days to take effect, hinting Japan’s deal may not be implemented until at least mid-September.On Stocktwits, retail sentiment was ‘bullish’ for the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) with ‘low’ message volume, while it was ‘bearish’ for the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) with ‘low’ volume and for the iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) with ‘high’ volume.So far this year,&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/SPY">SPY</a> is up 11.4%,&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/QQQ">QQQ</a> has gained 13.2%, while&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/EWJ">EWJ</a> has outperformed with a 19.1% rise.For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

Japan's Minister in charge of Economic Revitalization Ryosei Akazawa delivers a speech during a ceremony for U.S. National Day at the World Expo 2025 on July 19, 2025, in Osaka, Japan.

Japan’s Akazawa Plans Yet Another US Trip As Japan Awaits Trump’s Order On Auto Tariff Rollback

Akazawa’s last-minute cancellation of a scheduled U.S. visit highlights ongoing delays in implementing the July trade deal, which also includes a $550 billion U.S. investment fund tied to the agreement.

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