Japan Finance Minister Says All Options Open to Support Yen
Japan’s Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said the government is ready to use all available measures to support the yen, including direct intervention in the currency market if necessary.
She stressed that authorities would act decisively should the currency’s weakness fail to reflect economic fundamentals.
The remarks followed talks with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, with both sides agreeing that recent exchange rate moves were excessive.
The yen briefly strengthened from 158.40 to 157.97 per dollar after the comments before trimming gains.
Japan spent about $100 billion in 2024 to defend the currency when it reached 160 per dollar but has not intervened since.
Tokyo says it is closely monitoring markets while acknowledging that monetary policy will play a key role in stabilizing the yen and addressing inflationary pressures.
She stressed that authorities would act decisively should the currency’s weakness fail to reflect economic fundamentals.
The remarks followed talks with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, with both sides agreeing that recent exchange rate moves were excessive.
The yen briefly strengthened from 158.40 to 157.97 per dollar after the comments before trimming gains.
Japan spent about $100 billion in 2024 to defend the currency when it reached 160 per dollar but has not intervened since.
Tokyo says it is closely monitoring markets while acknowledging that monetary policy will play a key role in stabilizing the yen and addressing inflationary pressures.
