The Japanese yen weakened to a two-month low against the U.S. dollar on Tuesday as investors focused on fiscal dove Sanae Takaichi’s expected cabinet lineup following her victory in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership race. Market watchers anticipate a more expansionary economic approach under Takaichi, pushing domestic bond yields higher and testing demand in the upcoming debt auction.
The yen slipped 0.2% to 150.59 per dollar, briefly touching 150.62 — its weakest level since August 1 — while falling to a record 176.35 per euro. Analysts say Japanese officials may soon intervene verbally to prevent further currency weakness as it breaches the psychologically critical 150 threshold. “It’s a very important level, psychologically and economically,” said Bart Wakabayashi, Tokyo Branch Manager at State Street. “The Bank of Japan and Ministry of Finance likely prefer a stronger yen, so comments may begin emerging soon.”
Takaichi, seen as the most dovish of five contenders to replace outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, is expected to prioritize fiscal stimulus. Her stance contrasts sharply with Ishiba’s hawkish policies, prompting speculation that government spending and debt issuance could rise. The yield on 30-year Japanese government bonds climbed to an all-time high amid expectations of broader fiscal measures.
Meanwhile, the euro struggled following the resignation of France’s new Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu and his cabinet, as European Central Bank officials signaled that rate cuts might be needed if inflation risks continue to fade. The dollar index inched up 0.05% to 98.17, with the euro steady at $1.1705.
U.S. markets remain on edge as the government shutdown delays key economic data, including last week’s jobs report. Traders now await comments from Federal Reserve officials and the release of September FOMC meeting minutes, with expectations of a 25-basis-point rate cut at the Fed’s October 28–29 meeting.


Gold Prices Rise Above $4,000 as Inflation Data and Weaker Dollar Boost Demand
Wall Street Ends Lower as AI Stocks Drag Markets, Fed Rate Outlook Shifts
SpaceX Eyes Starlink Mobile Phone Service to Challenge Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Expectations
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Micron Surges, Apple Drops After Price Hikes
South Korea’s KOSPI Jumps Over 5% as Samsung, SK Hynix Rally on Micron Earnings Boost
World Bank Approves $1.1 Billion Emergency Funding for Bangladesh Amid Food and Energy Price Pressures
Oil Prices Rebound as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Return After Ship Attack Near Oman
Japan Signals Preference for Low Interest Rates as BOJ Policy Debate Intensifies
Asian Currencies Trade Mixed as Yen Hovers Near 40-Year Low, Dollar Holds Firm on Fed Outlook
S&P Affirms Brazil’s BB Credit Rating with Stable Outlook Amid Fiscal Challenges
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data as Fed Rate Hike Expectations Stay Elevated
Asian Stocks Sink as Apple Price Hikes Spark AI Valuation Fears, South Korea and Japan Lead Selloff
Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Countries Imposing Digital Services Taxes on U.S. Tech Firms
Oil Prices Drop as Strait of Hormuz Shipping Recovers 



