Lower US tariffs on Japanese autos kicked in on Tuesday, as a relieved Tokyo welcomed the implementation of a trade pact negotiated with Washington.

As of 1.01 pm (0401 GMT), Japanese cars entering the United States face a 15 percent tariff instead of 27.5 percent, providing manufacturers some reprieve from the hefty duties imposed by President Donald Trump earlier this year.

“The government welcomes US efforts this time towards the steady implementation of the July 22 Japan-US deal,” chief government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters.

While the outcome marked a win for Japan, the levies will still cause huge pain for the nation’s industries, with car titan Toyota telling AFP in a statement that it hoped they could be lowered further.

“We hope that the environment surrounding

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