Japan braces for US forex demands ahead of talks with Bessent

Guesses about Washington's requests range from BOJ rate hikes to Plaza Accord redux

20250422N Bessent Kato

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato are expected to discuss currency issues. (Source photos by Reuters, Nikkei)

YOHEI HIROSE

TOKYO -- Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato says he is prepared to discuss the weak yen with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Thursday as part of the countries' tariff talks, highlighting the risk of possible American demands like currency intervention and interest rate hikes.

"I have confirmed that Secretary Bessent and I will have close consultations about exchange rates, and I hope to take this opportunity to discuss the matter with him," Kato told Japanese lawmakers Tuesday. He avoided going into detail, citing concern that doing so could "invite market speculation and have unforeseen effects."

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