May 19 2025 – According to a report by Japan’s TBS Television, during the ongoing discussions between Japan and the United States regarding tariff reductions, Japan is contemplating offering subsidies for the establishment of Tesla’s charging stations.
It has been revealed through the report that the Japanese government currently provides installation subsidies only for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations that adopt the “CHAdeMO” standard, a charging protocol pioneered by Japan. Consequently, charging stations that utilize Tesla’s proprietary “Supercharger” standard are ineligible for these subsidies.
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has raised objections to this policy, labeling it as a “non-tariff barrier” and urging Japan to make adjustments.
In light of this, government sources have disclosed that Japan is exploring the possibility of including Tesla’s Supercharger stations within the scope of subsidy programs. The two countries are expected to engage in a third round of negotiations in the latter half of next week. By extending subsidies to Tesla’s charging infrastructure, the Japanese government aims to demonstrate its commitment to addressing non-tariff barriers, in hopes of persuading the United States to lower tariffs on automotive products and other goods.
