The transaction has raised concerns about what the sale could mean for unionized workers, supply chains and U.S. national security.
President Joe Biden has come out in opposition to the deal, saying in March that the U.S. needs to "maintain strong American steel companies powered by American steelworkers." Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Wednesday during a White House news conference that he hopes discussions on Nippon "will unfold in directions that would be positive for both sides."
The United Steelworkers, which represents the U.S. Steel labor force, did not respond to requests by The Associated Press for comment on the shareholder vote.