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TOKYO, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed optimism on Sunday that his nation could avoid higher U.S. tariffs, saying President Donald Trump had actually "identified" Japan's substantial investment in the U.S. and the American tasks that it produces.

At his first White House top on Friday, Ishiba informed public broadcaster NHK, he explained to Trump the number of Japanese car manufacturers were creating jobs in the United States.

The two did not particularly discuss vehicle tariffs, trade-britanica.trade Ishiba said, although he said he did not know whether Japan would undergo the reciprocal tariffs that Trump has actually said he prepares to trouble imports.

Tokyo has so far escaped the trade war Trump released in his very first weeks in office. He has revealed tariffs on goods from Canada, annunciogratis.net Mexico and China, coastalplainplants.org although he postponed the 25% duties on his North American neighbours to permit talks.

The intensifying trade stress since Trump returned to the White House on January 20 threaten to burst the global economy.

Ishiba said he believes Trump "acknowledged the fact Japan has been the world's largest investor in the United States for 5 straight years, and is therefore different from other nations."

"Japan is creating lots of U.S. tasks. I believe (Washington) won't go straight to the concept of higher tariffs," he said.

Ishiba voiced optimism that Japan and the U.S. can avoid a tit-for-tat tariff war, worrying that tariffs ought to be put in location in a way that "advantages both sides".

"Any action that makes use of or omits the other side won't last," Ishiba said. "The question is whether there is any issue in between Japan and the United States that warrants enforcing greater tariffs," he added.

Japan had the greatest foreign direct investment in the United States in 2023 at $783.3 billion, followed by Canada and Germany, according to the most recent U.S. Commerce Department information.

Trump pushed Ishiba to close Japan's $68.5 billion yearly trade surplus with Washington however expressed optimism this might be done rapidly, offered a guarantee by Ishiba to bring Japanese financial investment in the U.S. to $1 trillion.

On Sunday, Ishiba identified liquefied gas, steel, AI and autos as areas that Japanese companies might purchase.

He also discussed Trump's guarantee to take a look at Nippon Steel investing in U.S. Steel, rather than buying the storied American company - a prepared purchase opposed by Trump and blocked by his predecessor, Joe Biden.

"Investment is being made to ensure that it remains an American business. It will continue to operate under American management, with American workers," Ishiba said. "The key point is how to ensure it remains an American business. From President Trump's viewpoint, this is of utmost significance."

On military spending, another area where Trump has actually pressed allies for boosts, Ishiba said Japan would not increase its defence budget without first winning public support. "It is essential to ensure that what is considered essential is something the taxpayers can comprehend and support," he said. (Reporting by Leika Kihara: Additional reporting by Tim Kelly; Editing by William Mallard)