UPDATE 1-Japan PM says determined to protect national interests amid tariff stalemate

(Recasts with PM Ishiba comments) TOKYO, July 2 (Reuters) -

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Wednesday he was determined to protect his country's national interests as trade negotiations with the U.S. struggled and President Donald Trump threatened even higher tariff rates on the Asian ally. "Japan is different from other countries as we are the largest investor in the United States, creating jobs," Ishiba said in a public debate with opposition party leaders.

"With our basic focus being on investment rather than tariffs, we'll continue to protect our national interest," he said. Trump on Tuesday

cast doubt on a possible deal with Japan, indicating that he could impose a tariff of 30% or 35% on imports from Japan - well above the 24% rate he announced on April 2 and then paused until July 9.

Japanese broadcaster TV Asahi reported on Wednesday that Japan's tariff negotiator Ryosei Akazawa was organising his eighth visit to the United States for trade talks as early as this weekend.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)