SAWT BEIRUT INTERNATIONAL

| 20 May 2024, Monday |

Japan finance minister: ‘No discussion’ of exchange rates at G7

There was “no discussion” regarding currency rates at a gathering of Group of Seven (G7) finance ministers and central bank directors, according to Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki on Sunday.

Suzuki was speaking after the G7 nations—the United States, Japan, Germany, Britain, France, Italy, and Canada—met in India.

The yen weakened as far as 145 per dollar at the end of last month, the level that last fall spurred the finance ministry to intervene in the market to support the currency. However the yen has rebounded strongly this month to around 138 per dollar.

A weak yen can bolster Japanese exporters’ profits but it boosts the price of energy and other imports in yen for businesses and consumers.

Speaking at a press conference, Suzuki also confirmed Japan’s “unwavering support” for Ukraine, Kyodo reported.

Bank of Japan (BOJ) Governor Kazuo Ueda said there was a view that “there is strong uncertainty in the global economy,” the Japanese news agency reported.

Ueda has cited uncertainty about the global economy as a reason for keeping ultra-easy monetary policy in place in Japan, even as inflation runs above the central bank’s target.

The BOJ’s easy monetary policy has been a key driver of the yen’s weakness, as it contrasts with tightening in the United States, Europe and most other developed economies.

    Source:
  • Reuters