U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pressed Japanese authorities to lay out a transparent path toward fiscal sustainability and toward higher interest rates, NHK reported on Tuesday, citing a senior official at the U.S. Treasury.
The meetings took place on the sidelines of the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors session in Asheville, North Carolina. Bessent held separate discussions with Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda and with Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama, according to the report.
A Treasury under secretary, speaking to NHK, said Bessent emphasized the need to provide markets with clear signals on how Japan intends to achieve fiscal sustainability and to signal interest-rate increases as the next policy step. That message reflects a notable emphasis on longer-term monetary and fiscal tools rather than short-term currency moves.
The comments come as the yen remains under pressure, trading close to the psychologically and closely watched level of 160 per dollar. Market expectations for a possible Bank of Japan rate increase in September have been growing.
Separately, Bessent told CNBC on Monday that he expected actions from the Japanese government and the BOJ that would result in a stronger yen. He also noted that markets were already pricing in the possibility that such measures could include an increase in interest rates.
That stance represents a shift away from recent emphasis on direct currency support. In July, Japan and the United States conducted a rare joint currency intervention intended to support the yen. Despite that step, the currency weakened again to trade below 160 per dollar afterwards.
The pressure on the yen reflects a widening gap between Japan's still-low interest rates and higher rates in the United States, as well as investor concerns about Tokyo's expansionary fiscal stance. At the same time, the benchmark 10-year Japanese government bond yield has risen sharply, adding to scrutiny of Japan's debt position and highlighting the interaction between fiscal policy and Bank of Japan tightening.
Looking ahead, the BOJ's next policy meeting is scheduled for September 17-18. Economists are increasingly expecting another rate increase, and see the policy rate reaching at least 1.5% by the end of March 2027.
Context for markets
- Currency markets: the yen is trading near 160 per dollar and remains under pressure.
- Fixed income: the 10-year Japanese government bond yield has moved sharply higher, intensifying debate over fiscal sustainability.
- Policy calendar: the BOJ meets on September 17-18 and economists expect further tightening through March 2027.