Without question, the tragedy we've witnessed over the past two weeks in Japan is nearly unparalleled. We continue to offer our deepest sympathies and best wishes to all those with friends or family who have been or remain affected by this event.
Still, the Japanese are well-known for showing true resolve. For more than a week, the Bank of Japan has been injecting capital into the money market in an attempt to calm investors' fears. In the days after the initial earthquake, the markets have had a chance to digest the possible ramifications of what this might mean for Japan's economy. Most analysts firmly believe that Japan could eventually emerge from this disaster stronger than before.
Personally, I fear that the country has a threat looming even larger than a short-term drop in its GDP: its rapidly rising currency, the yen. A higher yen does make it cheaper to import goods, but it could also cripple the world's fourth-largest exporter.
Companies whose products Japan imports could see a major surge in demand. Freeport-McMoran
But an even greater sea of challenges oppose whatever benefits a surging yen might present. The big three automakers, Toyota
Technology exporters would likely be at the most immediate risk of an earnings pinch from a stronger yen. Tech giants Sony
There's no button that we can press to clear up the situation in Japan. Clearly, the G7's economic backing of Japan will greatly calm shaky markets, but I'm not so sure it will successfully keep the currency down for long. If I were you, I'd keep a close eye on the yen. More than anything, it will provide the strongest indication of the Japanese economy's potential future
Where do you see the yen going from here? Share your thoughts in the comments section below. Also, consider making your life easier by adding these and your own personalized portfolio of stocks to the new and easy-to-use My Watchlist: click to add Freeport-McMoran, Weyerhaeuser, Toyota Motors, Honda, Sony and Panasonic now.