The Japanese yen is on fire.

That’s the strongest level since October 19, 2014 — right before the Bank of Japan shocked the markets by boosting its quantitative-easing program.
The yen is now up about 10% vs. the dollar in 2016.
Thursday’s surge followed comments from the Bank of Japan’s (BoJ) governor, Haruhiko Kuroda, who suggested that the central bank could ease policy even further if needed.
Generally speaking, a weaker currency helps Japan’s exporters and corporate profits. So, some economists argue that a surging yen is bad for business.
Moreover, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said later on Thursday that “We’re watching the foreign exchange market with a sense of tension,” adding that “the government believes excessive and disorderly movements in the exchange rate have a negative effect.”

Despite all of that, analysts don’t think the BoJ will intervene this time around given the imminent G7 meeting next month.
“With Japan hosting the next key G7 meeting on 26-27 May, we doubt that politically challenging intervention is likely at this stage, especially if USDJPY’s decline is slow and steady and the Nikkei avoids a disastrous meltdown,” a Credit Suisse research team led byShahab Jalinoos argued in a note on April 6.
“The summit is the focal point of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s diplomatic strategy for the year and intervention to weaken the yen would destroy any chance he has of G7 leadership,” explained the Financial Times’ Robin Harding and Claire Jones.
For what it’s worth, Abe told The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday that countries should avoid competitively devaluing their currencies.
As an end note, the Credit Suisse team also cited other tricky political concerns.
“We suspect at a sensitive time ahead of the US presidential election in November, and with the recently agreed Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) deal still far from being passed by Congress, Japan will not want to risk becoming a candidate for official inclusion in the US Treasury’s FX manipulation report,” they wrote.
“Indeed, aside from brief periods in the post-2008 period, the type of ‘line in the sand’ strategy that was employed in the early 2000s has not been a feature of Japanese currency policy in recent years,” they added.
The yen is stronger by 1.2% at 108.43 against the dollar as of 3:49 p.m. EST.



Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Universal Studios’ Sailor Moon theme park attraction is finally coming to America
This Japanese vending machine doesn’t sell drinks, but you can buy drinks through it
How much is Amazon Japan’s lowest-rated currency calculator worth in yen?
Godiva now makes tofu in Japan, and sakura chocolate tofu too![Taste test]
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Universal Studios’ Sailor Moon theme park attraction is finally coming to America
This Japanese vending machine doesn’t sell drinks, but you can buy drinks through it
How much is Amazon Japan’s lowest-rated currency calculator worth in yen?
Godiva now makes tofu in Japan, and sakura chocolate tofu too![Taste test]
Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki releases new artworks, still wants to make movies
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Expo 2025 mascot Myaku-Myaku to release tastefully erotic photo book
We go looking for a monkey mommy like Punch with Amazon Japan’s ultra low-rated orangutang plushy
Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki is still drawing…and walking in his Vans
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki releases new artworks, still wants to make movies
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Expo 2025 mascot Myaku-Myaku to release tastefully erotic photo book
We go looking for a monkey mommy like Punch with Amazon Japan’s ultra low-rated orangutang plushy
Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki is still drawing…and walking in his Vans
Starbucks Japan reveals exclusive sakura goods at Reserve Roastery Tokyo
Peko-chan Milky Time Cafe opens in Chiba and we go to check out all of the pastries and merch
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Stars of Japan’s longest-running anime get gorgeous modern makeover in new video【Video】
Japanese man says “I’m a Vietnamese” while pointing knife at convenience store worker to rob her
Eight Ways You Really, Really Shouldn’t Use a Japanese Toilet