The Japanese yen appreciated toward 143.5 per US dollar on Tuesday, reaching its highest level in over two weeks, even as renewed trade tensions with the US intensified. President Donald Trump threatened fresh tariffs on Japan, criticizing the country’s reluctance to import American rice, and confirmed that the 25% tariff on Japanese auto imports would remain in place due to the persistent trade imbalance. The remarks come ahead of a key deadline, with markets closely watching whether Japan can secure a trade agreement with Washington before the 24% reciprocal tariff rate is reimposed next week. On the domestic front, Japan’s latest Tankan survey showed a surprise uptick in business sentiment among large manufacturers in the second quarter, highlighting resilience amid growing external pressures. Meanwhile, the yen gained additional support from a weakening US dollar, which slipped amid rising concerns over the US fiscal outlook and uncertainty surrounding pending trade negotiations.