Japan’s Kato: Asked banks to request cooperation from their clients on coronavirus countermeasures

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said on Friday, per Reuters, “Have asked banks to request cooperation from their clients on coronavirus countermeasures.”

Additional comments

Will respond flexibly through consultation with PM Suga, when asked about stimulus package.

I did not mean to say I wanted banks to limit loans to restaurants.

It's purely a request, when asked about government's requests to financial institutions.

Requests to banks are not meant to exert pressure on restaurants, other places already struggling under the burden of lockdowns caused by covid-19 pandemic.

USD/JPY inches closer to regain 110.00…

As the comments portray covid fears among Japanese policymakers, like everywhere else, the US dollar’s safe-haven allure propels USD/JPY towards 110.00, up 0.17% around 109.90 by the press time.

Read: USD/JPY Price Analysis: 110.00/50 is a critical supply area