Abstract: The relationship between USJapan trade friction and structural reforms in Japan has been a topic of concern in academic research. Especially after the transition from product friction to institutional friction, there was some synchronization between the two, as evidenced by the correlations between MarketOriented SectorSelective Talks and Japan’s policy to stimulate domestic demand in 1985, between the Structural Impediments Initiative and the structural adjustment in 1989, and between the series of economic dialogue mechanisms that started from 1993 and the structural reform in Japan. The conclusion of this paper is that Japan did not yield to US pressure and accept all reform recommendations of the United States. Instead, Japan took advantage of US pressure to promote domestic structural reforms that are necessary. For those that are not needed or necessary, Japan adopted some roundabout or perfunctory measures to achieve “cessation of hostilities”.

Key words: JapanUS dialogue mechanism, structural reform in Japan, synchronization