#exchange-rate

3 topics

Aug 1, 2026

A Handwritten To-Do List Puts Washington Inside Japan's Yen Problem

A Reuters photograph showed a handwritten note attributed to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reading 'To Do Buy Japanese Yen (JPY) $5-10 bil'. The Financial Times reported on 31 July that the US side had sold euros to buy yen, which would make it the first Japan-US coordinated yen-buying intervention since 1998, and the yen touched 157.24 to the dollar in New York. The note itself establishes intent rather than execution, and Japan's own monthly intervention figures are not due until 28 August.

The Yen Jumps to 157 and Slides Back to 160, and Japan Decides It Changed Nothing

声

JAPAN LOCAL VOICES

Authentic Japanese internet reactions to world events, translated and explained.

Info

About
Guides
Press
Contact
Privacy
Terms
Comment Policy
RSS Feed

Economy

Jul 31, 2026

The Yen Jumps to 157 and Slides Back to 160, and Japan Decides It Changed Nothing

The dollar-yen rate moved from the 163-164 range to 157 and then back to 160 in a matter of hours. Japanese authorities have not confirmed that they intervened. The threads barely argued about whether an intervention happened: the consensus was that nothing works while the US-Japan interest-rate gap stays where it is, and the more interesting question became whether the real motive was the exchange rate at all.

The Yen Hits a 40-Year Low, and Japan Feels It Against the Won

Economy

Jul 23, 2026

The Yen Hits a 40-Year Low, and Japan Feels It Against the Won

The dollar climbed past 163 yen, a roughly 40-year low, while the Korean won strengthened, leaving Japanese commenters to trade 'Asia's weakest currency' self-mockery, export-upside arguments, calls for intervention, and blame aimed at the government.