Yen reaches crossroads as BOJ explores end to negative rates

Economic weaknesses cloud path to normalizing monetary policy

U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell and Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda. The BOJ is signaling a potential end to easing as the Fed is seen exploring an end to tightening. (Nikkei montage/ Source photos by Reuters)

SETSUO OTSUKA, Nikkei senior staff writer

December 9, 2023 02:42 JST

TOKYO -- The historically weak yen appears to be turning a corner amid speculation that the Bank of Japan's ultraloose monetary policy is ending, though structural weaknesses in the Japanese economy raise questions over the currency's ability to endure higher rates.