G20: Japan finance minister calls for vigilance against FX volatility
"I told the meeting that based on the existing G20 foreign exchange commitments, we should continue to be cautious about excessive volatility driven by speculative movements," he told a press conference after the first day of the meeting.
Japan's currency this week touched its weakest level since early April against the dollar and a one-year low against the euro, as polls showed Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's coalition was in danger of losing its majority in the upper house.
Kato also said he had expressed concerns to his G20 counterparts about the impact of US tariffs on global economies and financial markets.
"Tariffs are not an appropriate measure to correct the current account imbalance," he said, adding that G20 should address the issues of imbalance though calm and constructive dialogue.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


eNCA
7 hours ago
- eNCA
G20 Finance Track meeting wrapped up this week
A general view of a sign welcoming delegates at the entrance of the G20 Finance and Central Bank Deputies and Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors' Meetings, at the Capital hotel in Zimbali, Durban on July 17, 2025.


The Citizen
11 hours ago
- The Citizen
G20 finance downside risks dominate global economic outlook
The global economic outlook is not as rosy as it seemed to be just a few months ago due to geopolitical issues and US tariffs. The downside risks still dominate the global economic outlook, with policy priorities for the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors will focus on building resilience and boosting medium-term growth. Gita Gopinath, the first deputy managing director of the IMF, states in her closing remarks after the third meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors that high levels of policy uncertainty remained a key theme in these discussions. 'But so too did the shared objective to navigate through this uncertainty and seek ways, domestically and collectively, to spur growth.' She says in April the IMF's World Economic Outlook forecast projected global growth of 2.8% in 2025 and 3.0% in 2026, well below the historical average of 3.7%. 'This included significant downgrades to major economies such as the US and China, owing to greater policy uncertainty, trade tensions and softer demand momentum. 'Global headline inflation was projected to decline, but at a slower pace, reaching 4.3% in 2025 and 3.6% in 2026.' ALSO READ: SA to prioritise food security, economic growth in G20 presidency, says Ramaphosa IMF has strong evidence of front-loading ahead of US tariff increases Gopinath pointed out that since April, economic indicators reflect a complex backdrop shaped by trade tensions. 'We saw strong evidence of front-loading ahead of tariff increases and some trade diversion. 'We also saw an improvement in global financial conditions as select trade deals lowered average tariffs. On inflation, cooling demand and falling energy prices point to a continued decline, albeit with variation across countries. 'While we will update our global forecast at the end of July, downside risks continue to dominate the outlook and uncertainty remains high.' Against this backdrop, she says, policymakers should focus on resolving trade tensions and implementing macroeconomic policies to address underlying domestic imbalances. 'This includes restoring fiscal space and ensuring debt is on a sustainable path. 'To maintain price and financial stability, monetary policy must be carefully calibrated to country-specific circumstances and use clear and consistent communications. Central bank independence must be protected. 'Structural reforms remain essential to lift medium-term growth and offset demographic shifts, by boosting productivity, supporting job creation and leveraging new technologies.' ALSO READ: 'Not very pleasing' – Ramaphosa's tough talk to Gauteng ahead of G20 Summit Important to strengthen public finances for global economic outlook Gobinath also emphasised the importance of strengthening public finances. 'The IMF welcomes the renewed focus on domestic revenue mobilisation, which is indispensable for strengthening public finances and helping countries, especially here in Africa, to achieve development goals. 'Our analysis suggests that low-income countries could raise an additional 7% of gross domestic product (GDP) if they achieved their estimated tax potential.' She said the IMF is playing its part by supporting countries in reforming domestic tax policies and broadening tax bases, strengthening administration to improve tax collection and their efficiency and improving tax legal certainty to attract foreign and domestic investment. 'We also support a stronger focus on public spending efficiency, which is vital for investing in sustainable development within tight fiscal constraints. The IMF is helping through governance diagnostics, macro-fiscal framework design, and improvements to public investment management and the management of state-owned enterprises.' She pointed out that although financial conditions have eased since April, trade and geopolitical uncertainty are still elevated and financial stability risks remain in focus. 'Vigilant surveillance and robust supervision remain paramount and recent progress in financial sector oversight must continue, particularly for NBFIs, which now account for more than 50% of the financial sector. 'Improving cross-border payments systems, including through new financial technologies, can help boost growth and strengthen macro-financial stability.' ALSO READ: Deputy Minister warns low-income countries will be hit hardest by geopolitical tensions Godongwana also worried about global economic outlook South Africa's Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, stated that the meeting took place during a period of fragile global economic growth. 'While inflation is gradually moderating and financial conditions have started to stabilise in some regions, uncertainty continues to weigh heavily on global growth prospects. 'Rising trade barriers, persistent global imbalances and new geopolitical risks are significant concerns. Many developing countries, especially in Africa, remain burdened by high and rising debt vulnerabilities, constrained fiscal space and a high cost of capital that limits their ability to invest in their people and their futures.' He warned that technological shifts and climate-related shocks and extreme weather events pushes the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 further out of reach. 'Developing countries face a staggering financing gap of $4 trillion every year. The message from the Fourth Financing for Development (FfD4) Conference in Spain was unequivocal: we must act decisively, choose cooperation over fragmentation, unity over division and action over inertia – before the window to deliver on our shared commitments closes. 'In the face of these complex challenges, the G20 must remain a source of strategic global leadership, cooperation and action.' READ NEXT: Here is how SMEs can take advantage of the G20 and B20 summits


eNCA
20 hours ago
- eNCA
'Clumsy' Japanese PM Ishiba's future in the balance
TOKYO - Shigeru Ishiba likes the nitty gritty of policy, cigarettes and making models, but his dream job as Japanese prime minister could go up in smoke this weekend. Opinion polls suggest that Ishiba's coalition could lose its majority in upper house elections on Sunday, a result that might push him to resign. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has governed Japan almost continuously since 1955, but whether anyone wants to replace Ishiba is another matter. "I wonder who else wants the job," Masahisa Endo, politics professor at Waseda University, told AFP. Ishiba, 68, a self-confessed defence "geek", is the son of a regional governor and is from Japan's small Christian minority. He won the party leadership in September, on his fifth try, to become the LDP's 10th separate prime minister since 2000, all of them men. Ishiba pledged to "create a new Japan" and revitalise depressed rural regions, and to address the "quiet emergency" of Japan's shrinking population. He immediately called lower house elections for October but that backfired spectactularly, with the LDP suffering its worst result in 15 years. That robbed the LDP and its coalition party Komeito of their majority, forcing them to bargain with opposition parties to pass legislation. Ishiba's policies on bringing down inflation and spurring growth have "flip-flopped" as a result, said Stefan Angrick at Moody's Analytics. "Ishiba's government has boxed itself in, promising only some belated and half-hearted financial support that will do little to improve the demand outlook," Angrick said. The government's popularity ratings have plummeted, with voters angry about price rises, especially for rice that is twice as expensive as a year ago. - Clumsy ways - Ishiba, the father of two daughters, also missed a chance to appear more modern by appointing only two women to his cabinet, down from five under predecessor Fumio Kishida. Ishiba's sometimes clumsy ways -- ranging from the less-than-perfectly tidy arrangement of his tuxedo to his table manners -- have also been rich fodder for social media memes. He drew ridicule after being snapped apparently napping in parliament and for failing to stand up to greet other world leaders at a gathering in South America. Worse was a video that emerged of Ishiba eating an onigiri rice ball -- a popular snack -- whole and munching on it without closing his mouth. "He eats like a three-year-old," one user said on social media platform X. "How could he have risen to the top with these manners?" asked another. - No deal - A major challenge has been dealing with US President Donald Trump, who has imposed tariffs on Japanese cars, steel and aluminium. Further levies of 25 percent on other Japanese imports will come into force on August 1 if there is no trade agreement. Ishiba secured an early invitation to the White House in February and has sent his tariffs envoy to Washington seven times, but there has been no deal yet. Then-premier Shinzo Abe -- dubbed a "Trump whisperer" -- fared better during Trump's first term, managing to shield Japan from any tariffs. Abe, who was assassinated in 2022, gifted Trump a gold-coloured golf club and was a frequent visitor to see the US president. According to Trump, Abe even nominated him for the Nobel prize. "There will never be another like him," he said after Abe's death.