Finance Minister Hirohisa Fujii said Tuesday the government may act to stabilize the foreign exchange market should currency movements become irregular.
"If the currency market moves abnormally, we may take necessary steps in the national interest," Fujii said at a news conference. He denied saying he tolerates a stronger yen.
Fujii is seeking to clarify his stance on the yen after it surged to an eight-month high Monday. Since taking the post two weeks ago, Fujii has he doesn't support a "weak yen" and he opposes governments stepping into currency markets "in principle."