Group 1 - Japanese companies are facing significant impacts from the U.S. government's steel and aluminum tariffs, which now include at least 720 products categorized as "derivative goods" [1] - The complex tariff structure imposes a 50% steel and aluminum tariff on the portion of products that use these materials, while a "countervailing duty" of 15% applies to Japan [1] - The expansion of the tariff list to include "derivative goods" has raised concerns among foreign companies and industry organizations, as it appears to be aimed at protecting U.S. domestic manufacturing [1] Group 2 - The Japan Construction Equipment Manufacturers Association has requested the Japanese government to negotiate with Washington to exclude construction machinery from the steel and aluminum tariffs [2] - Exports of construction and mining equipment from Japan to the U.S. were valued at over 800 billion yen in FY2024, but saw a 26% year-on-year decline in August [2] - The inclusion of cutlery products in the "derivative goods" category has negatively impacted manufacturers in Niigata Prefecture, with one company expressing concerns about potential price increases leading to reduced consumer demand [2] Group 3 - A recent agreement between Japan and the U.S. established a 15% tariff rate on Japanese exports, making it easier for companies to strategize around additional costs, but the steel and aluminum tariffs have complicated this [2] - The Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry has stated efforts will be made to assess the impact of the expanded tariffs and coordinate with relevant industries [2] - The U.S. Department of Commerce has initiated an investigation to determine if specific tariffs or import restrictions should be applied to machine tools, industrial robots, and medical devices, causing the Japanese machine tool industry to remain cautious [2]