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TOKYO, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba revealed optimism on Sunday that his nation might avoid higher U.S. tariffs, stating President Donald Trump had "acknowledged" Japan's big investment in the U.S. and the American jobs that it creates.

At his very first White House summit on Friday, junkerhq.net Ishiba told public broadcaster NHK, he explained to Trump the number of Japanese car manufacturers were developing jobs in the United States.

The two did not particularly talk about auto tariffs, king-wifi.win Ishiba said, although he said he did not know whether Japan would go through the reciprocal tariffs that Trump has said he plans to trouble imports.

Tokyo has so far escaped the trade war Trump let loose in his very first weeks in office. He has announced tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico and China, although he held off the 25% tasks on his North American neighbours to enable talks.

The intensifying trade stress since to the White House on January 20 threaten to rupture the international economy.

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

"Japan is producing many U.S. tasks. I believe (Washington) will not go straight to the concept of higher tariffs," he said.

Ishiba voiced optimism that Japan and the U.S. can prevent a tit-for-tat tariff war, stressing that tariffs must be put in location in such a way that "advantages both sides".

"Any action that exploits or excludes the other side will not last," Ishiba said. "The concern is whether there is any issue between Japan and the United States that calls for enforcing greater tariffs," he included.

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 pressed Ishiba to close Japan's $68.5 billion yearly trade surplus with Washington but expressed optimism this might be done quickly, given a promise by Ishiba to bring Japanese financial investment in the U.S. to $1 trillion.

On Sunday, Ishiba recognized melted gas, steel, AI and autos as locations that Japanese business could purchase.

He also touched on Trump's guarantee to take a look at Nippon Steel investing in U.S. Steel, instead of purchasing the storied American company - a planned purchase opposed by Trump and obstructed by his predecessor, Joe Biden.

"Investment is being made to make sure that it remains an American business. It will continue to run under American management, with American employees," Ishiba said. "The bottom line is how to ensure it remains an American business. From President Trump's point of view, this is of utmost value."

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