On the 18th, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi revealed that Japan and the U.S. have successfully agreed on their first 'U.S. investment project' stemming from recent tariff negotiations. Takaichi emphasized that this initiative is part of a 'strategic investment initiative' reinforcing U.S.-Japan relations, which includes the construction of an industrial synthetic diamond manufacturing plant in the U.S. This project aims to reduce reliance on third countries for critical materials used in automotive, aerospace, and semiconductor industries, hinting at increasing tensions with China as a motivating factor for this diversification.

Additionally, Takaichi pointed out that the initial project encompasses infrastructure necessary for U.S. crude oil exports and gas-fired power generation facilities to supply the growing artificial intelligence industry. This announcement coincides with U.S. President Trump revealing on his social media platform that the first project under a $550 billion investment commitment with Japan has been officially launched, focusing on three strategic initiatives including oil and gas facilities in Texas and a major gas power plant in Ohio.

Moreover, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick highlighted plans for a natural gas facility in Ohio powered by Japanese investment, forecasted to be the largest of its kind ever built, alongside commitments for deep-sea oil exportation facilities in the Gulf of Mexico, with Japanese funding projected to reach between $20 billion to $30 billion. The collaboration signals a significant shift in industrial and technological landscapes in the U.S. as the country enhances domestic production capabilities of essential materials, notably synthetic diamonds, aiming to meet national demands.