Japan and the U.S. on Friday explored the possibility of a trade agreement, Japan's top tariff negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, told a briefing, while refraining from commenting how close they are to reaching a deal.

Japanese top trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa said he sought the possibility of a trade agreement with his US counterparts through detailed discussions in Washington, while giving no clue over whether the two nations’ leaders may announce a deal at an expected summit in the coming days.

Japan reached out to China, expressing concern the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy J-15 fighters that came within 50 meters of a Japanese surveillance aircraft, Japan Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said Friday.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone call on Friday in which they discussed tariffs and Israel's attacks against Iran, the Japanese foreign ministry said.

Japan’s Finance Minister said that discussions with market participants is a key factor in making sure that government bonds are bought and sold stably, as the ministry neared a closely watched gathering with investors.

"If we reach a deal it should secure special treatment for Japan," the country's trade negotiator said Friday.

Growth outlook for Europe is bolstered by government and defense spending. Meanwhile, Japan is at a turning point after decades of deflation.

Japan’s largest utility company announced several long-term deals to buy billions of dollars worth of U.S. liquefied-natural gas late Wednesday. The Trump administration celebrated, with Energy Secret

Rumors in Hong Kong and other Asian cities of a major earthquake or a tsunami in July in Japan have led to flight cancellations and reductions in service, affecting tourism.