TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's tariff negotiator Ryosei Akazawa held "in-depth exchanges" over the phone with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Thursday and Saturday, the Japanese government said.

A pause on a 24% reciprocal tariff on imports from Japan expires next week.

The Japanese government also said in a statement that it intends to continue actively coordinating with the U.S. side on the matter.