TOKYO, Dec 25 (Reuters) - Japan's Nippon Steel ( NISTF )

is seeing support for its proposal to acquire U.S. Steel

in the regions of the United States where steel mills are

located, Nippon Steel's ( NISTF ) President Tadashi Imai told reporters on

Wednesday.

On Monday, a U.S. foreign investment committee referred the

decision whether to approve or block the $15 billion deal to

U.S. President Joe Biden, who has 15 days to decide.

Biden and his incoming successor, Donald Trump, have both

expressed opposition to the purchase.