Samurai Abe and His Currency Chief Will Visit D.C. to Smooth Over Worries About the Yen

“Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will be accompanied by his top currency official when he visits the U.S. to meet with President Barack Obama, as Japan tries to limit international friction over a weakening yen.

Vice Finance Minister Takehiko Nakao is part of a delegation arriving in Washington tomorrow, according to two officials with knowledge of the matter who asked not to be named because of government policy. Usually, a more junior official, the director-general of the international bureau, would accompany Abe on such a trip, two officials said.

Abe’s first visit to the U.S. since becoming prime minister in December comes amid international concern at the speed of the yen’s decline and Japanese officials indicating acceptable levels for the currency. U.S. Treasury Undersecretary Lael Brainard has welcomed Japan’s efforts to “reinvigorate growth,” while saying that nations need to avoid “loose talk about currencies.” …”

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