Yoshiaki Nohara

(Bloomberg) -- Yen traders are on watch for signs of further action by Japanese authorities after intervention triggered the currency's sharpest rally in three years on Thursday.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will spend three days in Japan starting Monday and is expected to meet senior officials including Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi before traveling to China, according to local media reports.

Japan’s household spending fell for a fourth consecutive month even as wages continued to grow, highlighting the fragility of consumption.

Japan's household spending fell for a fourth consecutive month even as wages continued to grow, highlighting the fragility of consumption.

Japan’s Trade Minister Ryosei Akazawa will attend a gathering of trade chiefs hosted by China this week as Tokyo seeks to keep dialogue open with Beijing amid tense relations.

Japan’s trade balance unexpectedly stayed in the black for a third consecutive month on strong exports and a sharp drop in energy imports.

Exports remained robust, with chip exports rising 44% amid strong demand for artificial intelligence-related products.

Japanese Trade Minister Ryosei Akazawa said it would be natural to seek communication with his Chinese counterpart Wang Wentao when they both attend an international conference starting Friday, as Tokyo aims to engage with China amid strained ties.

Japanese Trade Minister Ryosei Akazawa and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao had a brief chat on Friday, the first ministerial-level exchange of words between the two nations since a diplomatic standoff started last November.

Japan has sent senior officials to Russia to keep communication channels open and protect the assets of Japanese companies operating there, in what Tokyo says is the latest in a series of visits that have taken place since the war in Ukraine began.