US Treasury Secretary Bessent to head trade talks with Japan - Nikkei

TOKYO, April 8 (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will lead trade negotiations with Japan, the Nikkei newspaper reported on Tuesday.

Under Bessent, Washington is likely to discuss dollar/yen moves with Tokyo as well as trade, the Nikkei said, citing unnamed U.S. Treasury Department sources.

Although trade talks are usually led by the U.S. Trade Representative, the fact the treasury secretary will represent Washington could be an indication it might seek to address what it sees as the yen's weakness against the dollar, the Nikkei said.

In a telephone call on Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba agreed to appoint ministers in charge of trade discussions.