By Leika Kihara TOKYO (Reuters) -Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Tuesday that he would continue negotiations with the U.S. to seek a mutually beneficial trade deal, after President Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs on goods from Japan starting August 1.

Former currency diplomat Masatsugu Asakawa assures that Japan won't face U.S. pressure to strengthen the yen, despite President Trump's criticisms of trade surplus. While Trump pushes tariffs and trade changes,

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.

Japan's trade deal with the U.S. must include tariff concessions for its vital automobile industry, top trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa said on Tuesday, after President Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs on goods from Japan starting August 1.

Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) said it will condition public investment in chip startup Rapidus on the issuance of a "golden share" that grants the government veto power over critical corporate decisions.

Japan must diversify its trade relationships beyond the U.S. to mitigate risks, according to Hirofumi Yoshimura of the Japan Innovation Party. He suggests expanding ties with pro-free trade countries to strengthen economic security.

Japan views tariffs on automobiles, one of the most important industries in the country, as a sticking point. Unlike most of the world, Japan remains intransigent on compromise.

Japan must diversify trade ties beyond the U.S. market to mitigate risks and focus on partnerships with countries favouring free trade, Hirofumi Yoshimura, co-representative of the opposition Japan Innovation Party,