Foreign exchange New head of government in Japan: Yen exchange rate against the franc at record low
Following the election of nationalist hardliner Sanae Takaichi as head of Japan's ruling party, the value of the national currency, the yen, has fallen to a historic low.
06.10.2025, 07:41
SDA
Since the markets opened on Monday, the exchange rate has fallen by around 2 percent against the Swiss franc, with one franc trading at 188.82 yen. By contrast, the Nikkei index on the Tokyo Stock Exchange rose by a good four percent at the start of trading.
In the past, Takaichi has advocated an extremely loose monetary policy and high government spending. As the likely future head of government of the world's fourth-largest economy, she faces a number of challenges. These include an ageing population, geopolitical upheavals and a weakening economy.
The 64-year-old was elected as the new leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in a run-off election on Saturday. Takaichi is therefore on the verge of becoming Japan's first female head of government. Parliament is expected to confirm her as the new prime minister later this month - it would be the fifth change at the head of government in five years.
