日本人扛不住了！高市早苗对央行下手，日元狂跌，丰田却多赚百亿

Core Viewpoint - The depreciation of the Japanese yen, which has fallen below 155 against the US dollar for the first time since February, is primarily driven by the lack of commitment to interest rate hikes from the Bank of Japan amid a new economic stimulus plan proposed by Prime Minister Kishi Sanae [1][3][5]. Group 1: Economic Policy and Currency Impact - The meeting between Prime Minister Kishi Sanae and Bank of Japan Governor Ueda Kazuo did not yield any signals for interest rate hikes, leading to a significant drop in the yen's value [3][5]. - Kishi's economic stimulus plan of 14 trillion yen aims to increase spending and printing money, which conflicts with the need for interest rate increases to stabilize the currency [6][11]. - The yen's depreciation is exacerbated by global investors favoring the US dollar, especially after the US government resolved a budget crisis, prompting a sell-off of the yen [7][11]. Group 2: Impact on Businesses and Consumers - Export-oriented companies like Toyota and Sony benefit from the weaker yen, as it increases their profits when converting foreign sales back to yen [9][10]. - Conversely, ordinary Japanese consumers face rising prices for imported goods, with significant increases in the cost of essentials like beef and gasoline due to the yen's depreciation [9][10]. - Small and medium-sized enterprises are struggling with increased costs for imported materials, leading to potential layoffs and price hikes that ultimately affect consumers [10][11]. Group 3: Central Bank's Dilemma - The Bank of Japan is caught in a difficult position, needing to balance between not raising interest rates to support economic growth and the pressure of rising inflation and a depreciating currency [11][13]. - Internal disagreements within the Bank of Japan highlight the urgency for action, with some members advocating for immediate interest rate hikes to combat inflation [11][13]. - The upcoming December meeting of the Bank of Japan is critical, as it will determine the future direction of monetary policy and its impact on the economy and the yen [11][13].