NHK reported online this morning that Secretary of Commerce Ross will visit Japan to coincide with Vice President Pence’s trip to Japan for the new U.S.-Japan economic dialogue to begin on April 18. The network said Secretary Ross is expected to hold meetings with Deputy Prime Minister and Finance MInister Aso and Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry Seko. The network said the GOJ is hoping to set up a meeting with Secretary Ross to discuss ways to strengthen the bilateral economic relationship in addition to the economic dialogue. The network noted, however, that Secretary Ross has expressed the view that U.S. trade with Japan will be a top priority following the renegotiation of NAFTA in order to reduce the U.S. trade deficit, so attention will be focused on what kind of in-depth discussions will be held between Secretary Ross and the Japanese ministers on bilateral trade.