The Japanese yen depreciated toward 154.5 per dollar on Tuesday, nearing nine-month lows as optimism over a potential US government reopening reduced safe-haven demand. Japan’s economic revitalization minister, Minoru Kiuchi, warned that the weaker yen could push up consumer prices through higher import costs, calling for close monitoring. A draft of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s stimulus package, expected to be finalized on November 21, suggested the government will urge the central bank to prioritize robust economic growth alongside price stability. The package is also set to include tax cuts and investment incentives for 17 key industries. Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan’s October Summary of Opinions indicated policymakers are eyeing the next rate hike while closely tracking domestic wage trends. Japan also reported a record current account surplus of JPY 4.5 trillion in September as exports outpaced imports.
