Headline: Yellen and Kato Engage in Talks on Currency Fluctuations

Atsushi Mimura, Japan's Deputy Finance Minister for International Affairs, stated that Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato and U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen discussed recent exchange rate movements, among other topics, during a bilateral meeting on Thursday. Mimura told reporters, "The two sides addressed exchange rate movements and confirmed the need for close communication between the U.S. and Japan." The weak yen has become a concern for Japanese policymakers as it increases the cost of raw material imports, impacting households and retailers. Mimura noted, "We have seen unilateral, sharp movements in exchange rates recently. It is desirable for exchange rates to reflect fundamentals. We will be increasingly vigilant against movements in exchange rates, including those driven by speculation."