Bank of Japan begins stimulus sending Yen lower

Japanese Yen v US Dollar

Last Updated at 08 Apr 2013, 14:00 GMT *Chart shows local time

¥1 buys	change	%
0.0101	0.00	-1.66

The Japanese yen has dropped to its lowest level since 2008 against the US dollar after the central bank began the latest round of its stimulus programme.

The yen fell as low as 98.85 against the dollar, before rebounding slightly.

Investors said the central bank's plan to buy assets worth trillions of yen, which has government backing, would continue to weaken the currency.

As a result, the yen may break through the 100 mark against the dollar as early as this week.


Last week, the central bank said it would double the supply of the currency in the market.
It added that it would be much more aggressive in pursuing a 2% inflation target to boost growth.

A weak yen helps Japanese exporters keep their products competitive, as well as boosting profits earned overseas.

On Monday, exporters helped push the main Nikkei 225 stock index 3.1% higher, before the gains were pared back in later trading.