Gearoid Reidy & Daniel Moss, Columnists

Phone Warning Shows Yen Intervention Is the New Normal

Japan is drawing a line in the sand on the yen.

Photographer: Toru Hanai/Bloomberg

Shortly before Japan seemingly intervened to strengthen the yen, Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama issued an unusual warning for traders preparing to go on national holidays.

“Please keep your smartphones with you at all times, whether you’re going out or resting,” Katayama told reporters, speaking ahead of next week’s Golden Week vacation, when many Japanese typically take time off.