<h1>U.S.-Japan trade framework: 15% import tax, $550B investment pledge and $490B corporate commitments raise legal and regulatory issues</h1> U.S. and Japanese governments announced a trade framework under which the U.S. would impose a 15% tax on certain imports from Japan while Japan commits to a roughly USD 550 billion investment fund for the U.S.; business announcements purport up to USD 490 billion in corporate commitments, including major nuclear and energy projects. The statements create political commitments but leave material terms, funding mechanisms, timelines and enforceability unspecified, raising legal questions about contract formation, regulatory approvals, export controls, competition and national-security review, and compliance with bilateral and multilateral trade law. Implementation will require formal agreements, statutory measures and regulatory clearances.