The Japanese government has begun talks with the United States over President Donald Trump's high tariff policies. If the situation is left as is, Japan's auto and other exports to the U.S. would drastically decline, dealing a serious blow to the domestic economy. It was only natural for Japanese economic revitalization minister Ryosei Akazawa to call for a review of the high tariffs during his recent visit to Washington.

Japan must protect its own national interests without giving in to the unreasonable threats by the Trump administration, which advocates an "America First" doctrine.

Trump has taken an unusual step of attending a ministerial-level meeting himself, which was apparently aimed at boosting pressure on Japan and pressing for its concessions.

The concern is that Trump has taken an approach of trying to elicit more favorable conditions from Japan by referring to security to sway the country.

Trump suggested shortly before the talks that "the cost of military support," such as the cost for maintaining U.S. forces in Japan, would be part of the agenda. He has previously complained that the U.S. is spending hundreds of billions of dollars to defend Japan but that Japan pays nothing.

Japan hosts U.S. military bases across the country and shoulders massive costs for their presence. Any misperception must quickly be corrected.

The Trump administration has made noticeably unilateral claims.

While the president blamed Japan's strict safety standards for the sluggish sales of U.S. automobiles in Japan, German cars enjoy brisk sales here. It boils down to a lack of efforts on the part of U.S. automakers. The Japanese government must not easily concede to the U.S. in terms of safety standards, which would affect the lives of the people of Japan.

It is also Japan's responsibility to protect the free trade regime, which is on the verge of a crisis.

Japan was among the first to initiate negotiations with the U.S. over the high tariffs. That Trump has expressed his intentions to aim for an early agreement, calling talks with Japan a "top priority," was apparently aimed at flaunting his achievements and nudging other nations to make concessions. This could further hollow out the free trade system.

Prior to the talks, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba emphasized, "Japan is the biggest investor in the U.S. and a close ally, and should not be treated equally with other countries."

However, if Tokyo rushes into an accord to avoid high tariffs, Washington may take advantage of it. If the U.S. imposes unfavorable conditions upon Japan and sets them as precedents, Japan would lose the confidence of the international community.

An expansion of the free trade bloc can also work as a means to prevent U.S. pressure. Leaders of European Union nations have expressed their willingness to collaborate with members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade pact. Japan, which spearheaded the TPP deal, is urged to cooperate with other countries and take a resolute stand toward the U.S.