Japan Ready to Act Again on Yen, Finance Minister Katayama Says
Japan's finance minister says Tokyo will not hesitate to carry out further coordinated foreign exchange intervention and will stay in close touch with overseas authorities.
Japan is prepared to step into currency markets again alongside its international partners, Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said on Friday, signalling that Tokyo remains ready to act against disorderly movements in the yen.
Katayama said the government would not hold back from conducting additional coordinated foreign exchange intervention if circumstances warranted it.
She also stressed that Japan would keep lines of communication open with financial authorities in other countries on currency matters, with the aim of preserving orderly conditions in the foreign exchange market.
The remarks point to continued coordination between Tokyo and its global counterparts on exchange-rate policy, an area where joint action is typically reserved for periods of sharp or volatile currency moves.
Katayama did not indicate what specific market conditions might trigger fresh intervention, nor did she set out a timetable for any action. Her comments were limited to the government's readiness to act and its commitment to international consultation.
Japan's stance on the yen is closely watched by investors because intervention can involve large-scale buying or selling of currencies, often carried out in concert with other major economies.