TOKYO, July 17 (Reuters) - Japan's top trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa held talks with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on U.S. tariffs on Thursday, as Tokyo races to avert a 25% levy that will be imposed unless a deal is clinched by an August 1 deadline.

Japan's top tariff negotiator Ryosei Akazawa will visit Washington from Monday for an eighth round of trade talks, with the deadline

Japan's top negotiator for trade talks with the United States has left for Washington as the US is poised to impose a 25-percent tariff on imports from Japan starting August 1.

The August 1 deadline for U.S. President Donald Trump's new tariff on Japanese imports to take effect is closing in.

The premier’s days may be numbered as opposition weighs a no-confidence motion, with some in his party questioning leadership.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's coalition failed to secure a majority in the upper house elections, winning only 47 seats. This defeat leaves Ishiba's government in the minority and prompts concerns over potential political turmoil ahead of critical U.

Japan's top tariff negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, said on Saturday he planned to visit Washington next week to hold further ministerial-level talks with the U.S.

Japan’s top trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa said he’s aiming to visit Washington next week to continue efforts to win tariff concessions after talks on Saturday with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent didn’t touch on the issue.

The Japanese government says tariff negotiators from Japan and the United States have agreed to continue vigorous consultations between the two countries.

Japan and the U.S. have begun trade negotiations, with media reports suggesting Tokyo’s delegation is trying to win a reprieve from the tariffs by pledging to make more cars in the U.S.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba pushed back against the idea there has been little progress in negotiations with the US on a trade deal as a deadline looms for a 24% across-the-board tariff to take force.