Japan finance minister signals greater vigilance over the yen’s weakness

TOKYO, Feb 27 (Reuters) – Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama on ​Friday signalled ‌heightened vigilance over currency moves, telling parliament the government is monitoring ‌the ​yen’s recent ⁠slide with ⁠a strong sense of urgency.

“We are watching recent movements very ​closely, with a strong sense of ⁠urgency,” ⁠Katayama told parliament, ​when asked if the ​yen’s depreciation may be ‌hampering wage growth by pushing up import costs.

“We are ⁠also maintaining extremely close communication with the United ⁠States, ‌and will continue ⁠engaging in ​dialogue ‌to ensure that ​the concerns ⁠you raise do not materialise,” she said.

(Reporting by Makiko Yamazaki; Editing by Jacqueline ​Wong)