Analyst Robert Howard stated that after Trump takes office next month, if Japanese authorities decide to intervene to strengthen the yen, he is unlikely to voice complaints. Trump wants countries to buy more commodities from the USA, so any measures that make American exports more competitive should satisfy him. Japan's Finance Minister Kato Katsunobu reiterated concerns over the yen's decline on Friday, stating that Japan 'will take appropriate measures to prevent excessive fluctuations.' Shortly before Kato made these remarks, the dollar-yen exchange rate hit a five-month high of 158.09. If the dollar-yen rate rises to 160, the risk of Japan intervening to buy yen will increase. The last time the spot exchange rate was at or above 160 was in July, when it reached a 34-year high just below 162, prompting Japan to intervene in buying yen. Trump will be sworn in on January 20 of next year, just four days before the next interest rate decision from the Bank of Japan.