TOKYO, July 31 (Reuters) - Japan's top trade negotiator

Ryosei Akazawa said it might take some time for U.S. tariffs on

automobiles to be lowered to 15%, public broadcaster NHK

reported on Thursday.

Under a bilateral trade deal clinched with Japan earlier

this month, the U.S. agreed to lower "reciprocal" tariffs on

goods and a levy on automobiles both to 15% from the current

25%.

Speaking to reporters after the government's task-force

meeting on U.S. tariffs, Akazawa said he expects the U.S. to cut

the "reciprocal" tariffs to 15% from Friday as agreed upon by

the two countries, according to NHK.

But he said the cut to tariffs on Japanese automobiles "may

take some time," adding that Tokyo would step up requests for

President Donald Trump to sign an executive order at an early

date, NHK said.

Japan's auto sector accounts for more than a quarter of its

U.S. exports and is a key engine of the fragile economy.