In a regular press conference after a cabinet meeting, he said it is important for Japan's auto industry to gain understanding of its strong efforts to contribute to the U.S. economy.

Seko was speaking after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump threatened to impose heavy taxes on Toyota Motor Corp if it builds its Corolla cars for the U.S. market at a plant in Mexico.

(Reporting by Ami Miyazaki and Kaori Kaneko; Editing by Chris Gallagher)