Japan’s top currency official denied a media report claiming U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent supported a strong yen:
More, in brief:
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Atsushi Mimura said, “the U.S. side did not touch upon exchange-rate targets in the finance minister talks.”
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Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato and Bessent held their first face-to-face meeting in Washington last Thursday.
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The Yomiuri newspaper reported Bessent’s alleged comments without citing sources; Kato also denied the report on X, stressing no discussion of exchange-rate targets.
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Kato declined to disclose whether the U.S. made any specific currency-related requests during the 50-minute meeting.
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Market expectations remain that Tokyo could face U.S. pressure to strengthen the yen, given President Trump’s focus on the trade deficit.
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Bessent described the talks as “very constructive,” noting they discussed “matters pertaining to exchange rates.”
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This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at www.forexlive.com.
