The surpluses have been a source of trade friction with the United States.

And the deficit with China, a growing source of trade friction, climbed to $3 billion, from $2.8 billion.

In addition, officials were concerned about mounting trade friction with Japan.

To be sure, the trade imbalance by itself is not the cause of trade friction.

So the Asian countries might be a new source of trade friction for Japan.

The move is aimed at avoiding trade friction over phone exports, he said.

He also suggested that trade friction could arise if Japan maintained a system different from one used elsewhere in the world.

Although some trade frictions were discussed, the agenda was dominated by security issues.

But there will be anti-American demonstrations and trade frictions during the visit.

Japan hopes that the visit will lead to a better understanding of trade frictions between the two nations, he said.