WASHINGTON — Japan may have been the biggest beneficiary this weekend when the Group of Seven leading economies responded ambiguously about its currency intervention last month, which drew fire from U.S. and European lawmakers.

It is almost impossible for Japan to step into the currency market to weaken the yen if its G7 peers oppose it. But given their vague response to the intervention — Japan's first in more than six years — Tokyo is believed to have won more leeway to go it alone.

"I explained our currency intervention," Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda told reporters after the group met over dinner Friday. "The discussions did not broaden after my explanation," he added, suggesting he faced no criticism from the other G7 members — Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the U.S.