Concerns Over Yen Decline in Western Japan

By Leika Kihara

TOKYO (Reuters) – Many companies in western Japan view excessive yen declines as undesirable, according to Kazushige Kamiyama, the Bank of Japan’s Osaka branch manager, speaking at a news conference on Monday following the BOJ’s quarterly meeting of regional branch managers.

Kamiyama noted, “Quite a large number of firms seem to share the view it was problematic for the yen to decline too much.” While opinions varied on whether the yen should rise further, there was a consensus among firms for moderate exchange-rate fluctuations. Kamiyama oversees a region that hosts significant manufacturers sensitive to currency market changes.

Additionally, he mentioned that many firms are preparing business plans with the expectation that the slowdown in exports to China will persist.