Yen Strengthens as Tokyo Signals Potential Intervention Following Trump's Concerns

The Japanese yen recorded its largest daily gain in over two weeks, rising 0.6% to 157.95 per dollar on Friday. Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama warned of potential intervention after reporting that US President Donald Trump raised concerns about the weak yen with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Katayama is coordinating with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to address the currency's volatility. Market participants view the 160 level as a critical threshold for possible government intervention, recalling the record 15.4 trillion yen (approximately $97.4 billion) spent on coordinated support efforts earlier this summer.