Yen Strengthens Sharply as Intervention Warning Rattles Market

Sep 19, 2026 | News On Japan

TOKYO - The yen strengthened by more than 1 yen against the dollar in a short period late on September 18 after the Bank of Japan conducted a rate check, a step commonly taken in preparation for possible intervention in the foreign exchange market.

The sharp move began shortly after 11:30 p.m. Japan time. At around 11:40 p.m., the yen started strengthening rapidly, gaining more than 1 yen against the dollar within about an hour and briefly reaching the upper 156 yen range.

Earlier on September 18, the Bank of Japan decided to raise interest rates for the first time in about 31 years. Despite the decision, the yen initially weakened, trading in the 157 yen to 158 yen range against the dollar.

Market participants said the BOJ carried out a rate check as the yen continued to move in the weaker direction following the rate increase.

A rate check involves the government and the Bank of Japan contacting financial institutions to confirm current exchange-rate levels before potentially carrying out direct intervention in the currency market.

The move is widely seen as an attempt to warn market participants against pushing the yen lower after the currency weakened despite the BOJ's historic rate increase.

Source: TBS

Japan's First Wintry Blast Brings Snow and Freezing Winds

Japan experienced its coldest morning of the season on October 29th, with temperatures falling to new seasonal lows at 616 observation stations nationwide, following a powerful outbreak of cold air that brought the first snow to northern Japan and strong winter winds to Tokyo and western regions the previous day.

Typhoon No. 31 Takes an Unexpected Turn Toward Japan

Typhoon No. 31, a very strong storm currently moving west near Minamitorishima Island in the western Pacific, could change direction several times in early November and potentially approach Japan's Ogasawara Islands, with its eventual path depending largely on the strength and position of a high-pressure system over the Japanese mainland, according to a forecast updated at 6 a.m. on October 29.

Strong Earthquake Shakes Narita Airport

A magnitude 5.4 earthquake struck northeastern Chiba Prefecture at around 12:07 a.m. on October 29, registering a maximum intensity of 5-lower on Japan's seven-level seismic scale and sending tremors across a wide area of eastern and central Japan, including Narita Airport, where footage captured the moment of shaking.

GMO Offers 150 Million Yen Reward to Identify Cyberattackers

GMO has announced a reward totaling approximately 150 million yen for information leading to the identification of hackers responsible for a cyberattack on its systems, while also pledging compensation to customers whose personal information has been exposed, as Japan faces a growing wave of cyberattacks targeting major companies.

Controversial Penalty Decision Ends Tokyo High School Soccer Match

A controversial penalty shootout decision during the Tokyo qualifiers for Japan's National High School Soccer Championship on October 24 has sparked debate after a team that believed it had secured victory was forced to continue playing and eventually lost, raising questions about whether a hole in the goal net contributed to an incorrect ruling.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Business NEWS

GMO Offers 150 Million Yen Reward to Identify Cyberattackers

Nikkei Gains Nearly 700 Points as Chipmakers Lead Tokyo Market

Japanese stocks extended their recovery on October 28, with the Nikkei 225 closing at 63,954.19 at 3:30 p.m. Tokyo time, up 685.82 points, or 1.08%, from the previous session, as strong demand for artificial intelligence-related semiconductor shares lifted the benchmark for a second consecutive day, even as the broader market weakened ahead of major interest rate decisions in Japan and the United States.

Japan to Buy Back 2 Million Barrels of UAE Crude for National Oil Reserves

Japan has begun replenishing its national oil reserves following the release of approximately 90 million barrels in response to worsening tensions in the Middle East, with trading house Mitsui & Co. winning the first procurement contract for 2 million barrels of crude oil from the United Arab Emirates, expected to arrive in November.

Nikkei Jumps More Than 1,000 Points on Renewed AI Optimism

Japan's benchmark Nikkei Stock Average rebounded sharply on October 27, 2026, closing at 63,232.37, up 1,042.72 points, or 1.68%, at 3 p.m. Japan time, as semiconductor-related shares rallied following gains on Wall Street and renewed optimism about artificial intelligence investment, ending a three-session losing streak that had pushed the index to its lowest level in nearly three months.

GMO Refuses to Pay $50 Million Cyberattack Ransom

GMO Internet Group President Masatoshi Kumagai revealed that attackers responsible for unauthorized access to servers used for foreign exchange trading and other services had demanded $50 million, equivalent to approximately 7.9 billion yen, with the company refusing to comply.

Tokyo Stocks Fall for Third Day as Semiconductor Selling Continues

Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average extended its decline for a third consecutive trading session on Monday, October 26, as selling in semiconductor and artificial intelligence-related shares continued to weigh on the market, while energy companies attracted buying interest following a surge in global oil prices.

Don Quijote Launches Discount Supermarket Robin Hood

Japan's major retailers are experimenting with new store formats as rising living costs drive demand for cheaper groceries and changing consumer habits force companies to seek new sources of growth, with Don Quijote launching its food-focused Robin Hood discount chain and FamilyMart opening a next-generation flagship store combining convenience shopping with fashion, lifestyle goods and exclusive products.

Nikkei Plunges 1,713 Points as AI Sell-Off Deepens

Japan's financial markets suffered another sharp setback on October 22 as heavy selling in semiconductor and artificial intelligence-related stocks sent the Nikkei 225 down 1,713.40 points, or 2.65%, to 62,907.84, its lowest closing level since July 30.

< 2 3 4 5 >