Japan PM: may mull steps for exporters hurt by yen

Fri Nov 27, 2009 3:52am EST

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TOKYO Nov 27 (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said on Friday that the government needs to consider steps to help exporters that are likely to be hurt by the yen's spike against the dollar.

Asked about the possibility of intervention to stem the yen's rise, Hatoyama said: "I do not want to comment at this stage about what steps can be taken ...

"The important thing is that export industries are expected to be damaged by the yen's rise and we need to consider compiling an extra budget and economic measures to respond to this."

He added that stable moves in foreign exchange markets were desirable.

The Nikkei stock average .N225 slid 3.2 percent to hit a 4-month closing low on Friday for a fifth straight week of losses, hurt after the yen touched a 14-year high against the dollar JPY= and debt problems surfaced in Dubai. [.T][FRX/] (Reporting by Tetsushi Kajimoto) ((tetsushi.kajimoto@thomsonreuters.com; +81 3 6441-1829; Reuters Messaging: tetsushi.kajimoto.reuters.com@reuters.net)) ((If you have a query or comment on this story, send an email to news.feedback.asia@thomsonreuters.com))

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