Seijiro Takeshita, a professor at the University of Shizuoka's Graduate School of Management, has delivered a scathing assessment of the U.S.-Japan trade agreement, calling it "not a good deal at all" in a recent analysis. The academic challenged prevailing narratives about tariff-driven trade imbalances, arguing that Japanese consumer preferences – not trade barriers – explain lower U.S. auto sales in Japan.
"American cars simply don't appeal to our drivers," Takeshita stated, noting that Japan maintains zero tariffs on U.S. automotive imports. His comments highlight growing concerns among Asian business analysts about oversimplified approaches to complex trade relationships.
The critique comes as global investors watch for ripple effects across Asia's supply chains. While the deal aims to strengthen economic ties, Takeshita warned that such agreements risk undermining regional stability if they fail to account for market realities and cultural factors shaping consumer behavior.
