Japanese officials reiterated on Tuesday that they stand ready to respond to currency movements, maintaining the unchanged rhetoric despite the yen's slide to a four-decade low.
The yen accelerated its decline to hit 162.41 in Tuesday morning trade after breaching the 162-per-dollar level for the first time since 1986, renewing speculation that Tokyo could intervene in the market at any time.
"It all comes down to being ready to respond appropriately to currency moves at any time," Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said at a regular news conference, when asked about the yen's fall past 162 per dollar, repeating language authorities have used consistently.
Responding to a question on whether her sense of urgency has changed, Katayama said her message has remained unchanged.
The references to appropriate action "includes the possibility of decisive measures, as confirmed at a recent online meeting with the United States," she said.
