Japanese policymakers are jawboning the markets in an attempt to stem the yen’s decline against the US dollar.
On Thursday, Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki said that authorities were watching market moves with a sense of urgency, as the yen fell beyond 150 to the dollar.
Suzuki also warned investors against selling the yen, saying that the government was ready to take action if necessary.
Jawboning is a type of monetary intervention in which policymakers use verbal warnings or threats to influence market behavior.
It is a relatively low-cost and low-risk form of intervention, but it can be effective if investors believe that the policymakers are serious about taking action.
In the case of Japan, it is unclear whether jawboning will be enough to stop the yen’s decline. The yen has been falling against the US dollar for months, as investors have been attracted to the higher yields offered by US Treasury bonds.
The Bank of Japan has also been reluctant to raise interest rates, which has further weakened the yen.
If the yen continues to fall, it could have a number of negative consequences for the Japanese economy.
It could make it more expensive for Japanese companies to import raw materials and components, and could also make Japanese exports less competitive.
A weaker yen could also lead to inflation, as consumers would have to pay more for imported goods.
The Japanese government is therefore under pressure to take steps to support the yen. However, the government’s options are limited.
The Bank of Japan could raise interest rates, but this would risk harming the Japanese economy.
The government could also intervene in the currency market to buy yen and sell dollars. However, this would be expensive and could be counterproductive if investors believe that the government is trying to prop up the yen artificially.
Overall, the Japanese government is in a difficult position. It needs to take steps to support the yen, but it also needs to avoid harming the economy.
It remains to be seen what steps the government will take, and whether they will be successful.