Japan's top trade negotiator says he had phone call with US administration's Lutnick

TOKYO, July 8 (Reuters) - Japan's top trade negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, said on Tuesday he had a 40-minute phone call with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick as part of bilateral trade talks.

"We are trying to agree on a package of measures", covering a wide range of issues, which will not be easy because U.S. President Donald Trump is "very tough", Akazawa told a news conference.

"The two countries must garner trust through sincere dialogue, and reach common ground step by step. Through such process, my job as negotiator is to agree on a full package as soon as possible," he said.