Alerted by a faster-than-expected fall in the yen's value and the outcry from other Asian countries about the weak yen, the Finance Ministry appears to be having second thoughts on its foreign-exchange policy.
The push for a lower currency value in order to minimize deflationary pressure is one element of fiscal policy.
Although it is a matter of concern for the Bank of Japan, the Finance Ministry has exclusive authority to intervene in foreign-exchange markets. Thus remarks that affect yen-dollar rates must be made by Finance Minister Masajuro Shiokawa or other Finance Ministry officials.