Real-time News

On March 30, Atsushi Mimura, Japan's top foreign exchange official, issued his strongest warning to speculators to date, stating that if current market conditions persist, authorities may need to take decisive intervention measures in the foreign exchange market. "We are increasingly aware that speculative activity is not only heating up in the crude oil futures market, but is also rapidly spreading in the foreign exchange market," Mimura said at a press conference on Monday. He emphasized, "If this trend continues, we believe that swift and decisive action may be imminent." Mimura's remarks came after the yen fell below the 160-dollar mark last week—the critical level at which the Japanese government plans to implement foreign exchange intervention in 2024. He added, "We are fully prepared to respond, with a broad and comprehensive monitoring scope," implying that the Japanese government is not only closely monitoring foreign exchange market movements but also simultaneously paying attention to related markets such as crude oil futures.

US President Trump: (Regarding Russian oil tankers heading to Cuba) There's no problem with that, whether they're Russian or from another country.

US President Trump: (Regarding the Russian oil tanker bound for Cuba) We don't mind if someone loads a cargo onto it.

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda: If short-term interest rates are not adjusted appropriately, leading to excessive inflation, there is also a risk of excessive adjustment in long-term interest rates.

March 30th - Starting in April 2026, the two-wheeled electric vehicle market may see a wave of concentrated price increases. Affected by multiple factors such as rising raw material costs, the expiration of factory rebate policies, and the end of promotional activities, major domestic electric two-wheeler brands such as Ninebot, Yadea, Tailg, and Aima plan to officially raise prices on most of their models starting next month. The expected increase is 200-300 yuan, and some dealers have already received notices to stock up.

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda: If short-term interest rates are raised at an appropriate pace, long-term interest rates will remain stable.

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda: Long-term interest rate trends reflect market views on the economic and price outlook, as well as views on fiscal and monetary policies.

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda: The Bank of Japan will carefully examine how exchange rate movements may affect the likelihood and risks of achieving economic growth and price forecasts, and will guide monetary policy accordingly.

Sources say the first meeting between the U.S. Treasury Department and regulatory agencies is expected to be announced as soon as possible this Wednesday; the outcome of the meeting will provide guidance for future regular meetings.

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda: Exchange rate fluctuations may affect underlying inflation through changes in inflation expectations.

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda: As companies become more proactive in raising prices and wages, the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on prices has become more significant.

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda: We will closely monitor developments in the foreign exchange market.

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda: Exchange rate trends are one of the factors that have a significant impact on the Japanese economy and prices.

As of 8:30 AM Beijing time, spot platinum was down 0.60% and spot palladium was down 0.56%.

Both WTI and Brent crude oil prices fell by about $1 in the short term, currently trading at $101.63 per barrel and $106.59 per barrel respectively.

European stock index futures fell, with Euro Stoxx 50 futures and German DAX futures down 1.5% and UK FTSE 100 futures down 1.0%.

Jun Mimura, Finance Minister of Japan's Ministry of Finance: Speculative fluctuations have emerged in the market, and it may be necessary to take decisive action. We do not rule out taking any countermeasures.

Japan's Topix index fell more than 4% to 3,503.65 points.

According to the Financial Times, US President Trump stated that the number of Pakistani-flagged oil tankers allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz has now doubled to 20. The Iranian parliament speaker has approved the dispatch of additional tankers.