Japan will continue to "strongly request a tariff exemption" for the country from the United States, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said at a news conference on Tuesday.

He also assured that the Japanese government would take all necessary measures to support small and medium-sized businesses affected by the US tariffs, saying, "We will do our utmost to provide financial assistance," and indicated that the government and the ruling party would coordinate on countermeasures.

US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation to impose a 25 percent tariff on imports of automobiles and certain automobile parts, with Japan included among the affected countries.

Concerns over the impact on Japan's economy have been growing.

As countermeasures, Ishiba has proposed the establishment of 1,000 consultation offices nationwide and plans to strengthen financial support for affected businesses.

Regarding the possibility of direct negotiations with Trump, he said, "Once I see the whole picture of the negotiations, if I decide that it is appropriate for me to go, I will do so without hesitation".

Ishiba held the news conference at the Prime Minister's Office, following the passage of a revised budget bill for fiscal 2025 the previous day.

According to The Japan Times, this was the first instance under the country's current Constitution where a government budget was enacted after being modified in the Upper House.

With cabinet approval ratings plummeting, the government's management remains precarious despite the budget's passage, according to The Asahi Shimbun, one of Japan's leading national daily newspapers.

The approval rating for Ishiba's Cabinet plunged to 27.6 percent, the lowest since he took office in October, following revelations that he handed out gift certificates to new Liberal Democratic Party lower house members, a Kyodo News survey showed on March 23.

At the beginning of the news conference, Ishiba once again apologized for the issue. He said, "There may have been moments when I lost sight of myself. I take this issue seriously and will reflect on it sincerely."

On March 3, the prime minister distributed gift certificates worth 100,000 yen ($667) each during a dinner meeting with 15 new LDP lawmakers. This move drew criticism from both the ruling and opposition parties, leading to a decline in the cabinet's approval rating.

Ishiba said, "I must honestly recognize that my actions were out of touch with the public's sentiment," and added that he has renewed his determination to sincerely engage with the people's concerns.

At the news conference, a reporter asked whether Ishiba was considering options such as holding a simultaneous election for both houses of parliament or forming a coalition with certain opposition parties. In response, the prime minister said, "I am not considering the dissolution and general election, a simultaneous election for both houses, or a realignment of the coalition at this time".

He also emphasized that despite being a minority ruling party, the LDP, with the efforts of many, managed to pass the budget within the fiscal year.

Regarding the surge in rice prices, Ishiba said the government is closely monitoring the situation and will take additional measures without hesitation if necessary.

The Japanese government has already started utilizing reserve rice stocks. The first auction was conducted recently, followed by a second auction last week.

"We expect that stable supply will help ease rising rice prices," Ishiba said.

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