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Japan Fires Up the Printing Press

By Adrian Rush – Updated Oct 4, 2017 at 9:29AM

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The nation's central bank prepares to inject 10 trillion yen into the economy to help its export market.

The Japanese have a yen for keeping their currency from growing too strong. Now the nation's central bank is doing something about it.

Following an emergency meeting of the Bank of Japan yesterday, news emerged that the bank will introduce 10 trillion new yen into the nation's economy, to make it easier for businesses to borrow money and to improve overall economic liquidity. Since Japan is an export-dependent economy, a strong yen means that other countries are likely to become less eager to buy increasingly expensive Japanese products.

Japanese shares rose on the news, led by modest gains at automakers Toyota (NYSE:TM) and Honda (NYSE:HMC), but doubt remains over whether the bank's move will be enough to kickstart the world's second-largest economy. For one thing, some of the problems Japan faces are out of its control, such as the continued weakness of the U.S. dollar. The yen hit a 14-year high against the dollar last Friday, and gold topped $1,200 an ounce for the first time ever yesterday, as many uneasy investors continue their flight from the dollar. The dollar, however, did strengthen against the yen following yesterday's news from Japan. 

How do you see events playing out? Will weakening the yen help Japan's economy? If so, how will its trade partners benefit? Let us know in the comments box below.

Fool online editor Adrian Rush thinks there's no problem that a good glass of sake can't cure. He has no position in any of the companies mentioned here. Try out any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. The Fool's disclosure policy starts every morning meditating in its Zen garden.

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Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Stock Quote
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