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In announcing the award, UNESCO recognized Prof. Ip as an internationally renowned neuroscientist whose research has significantly advanced the understanding of brain function and neurodegenerative diseases. It highlighted her team’s discoveries of novel biomarkers and genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease, the development of an innovative blood-based diagnostic technology that enables earlier detection and monitoring of the disease, and her pioneering advances in gene therapy research that have opened new avenues for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

President Prof. Nancy Ip first received the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Award in 2004, becoming the first Chinese scientist in the life sciences and the first scientist from Hong Kong to receive the honor. Her latest recognition, the 2026 UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences, marks a second major accolade from UNESCO and makes her the first Hong Kong scientist to have received both prestigious UNESCO awards.

Receiving the award in Paris, Prof. Ip expressed her heartfelt gratitude to her research team, collaborators and colleagues, and thanked HKUST for its steadfast support throughout her scientific journey.

Prof. Ip said: “I am deeply honored to receive the UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences. This recognition belongs not only to me, but also to the many talented and dedicated team members, collaborators and colleagues who have contributed to these achievements. It reflects our shared commitment to advancing knowledge, deepening our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease, and translating scientific discoveries into meaningful benefits for patients and society.“

She added: “Alzheimer’s disease is not just a scientific and medical challenge. It is also a deeply human one, profoundly affecting the lives of those living with the disease and their families. Their courage reminds us why our work matters and inspires us to reach higher.”

Prof. Ip also emphasized the importance of global scientific collaboration and nurturing future generations of researchers. “Science is a collective endeavor,” she said. “Every breakthrough is built on collaboration across disciplines, institutions and borders. As a scientist and university president, I believe we must also empower young researchers by giving them the freedom to pursue their curiosity, the confidence to take intellectual risks, and the support they need to tackle the grand challenges facing humanity.”

Breakthrough Contributions to Neuroscience and Alzheimer’s Disease Research

Prof. Ip has devoted more than three decades to advancing research on neurodegenerative diseases. To date, she has published over 350 scholarly papers and holds 144 patents. Her pioneering work has significantly deepened scientific understanding of intercellular communication in the nervous system, synaptic signaling, and the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases. Her research team has also achieved a series of breakthroughs in identifying protein targets associated with these disorders, opening new avenues for their diagnosis and treatment.

Recognizing that Alzheimer’s disease research has historically relied heavily on data from Western populations, with Asian populations being relatively underrepresented, Prof. Ip led her team in establishing a large-scale Chinese Alzheimer’s disease biobank. By integrating clinical data, neuroimaging information, and multi-omics datasets from Chinese populations, the team successfully identified multiple genetic risk factors prevalent among Chinese individuals. These findings have provided important scientific insights into disease mechanisms and laid a foundation for the development of precision diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

In recent years, Prof. Ip and her team have made significant advances in the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and the clinical translation of related research. They co-developed a highly accurate, minimally invasive, and efficient blood-based diagnostic test that can aid early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and help identify individuals with mild cognitive impairment, thereby supporting timely clinical assessment and intervention planning, as well as the identification of suitable participants for clinical trials. The technology has been adopted by multiple healthcare institutions in Hong Kong and has since been expanded into community settings, helping to inform more effective disease management and risk-reduction strategies. Meanwhile, the team is actively exploring novel gene therapy approaches for familial Alzheimer’s disease through gene-editing technologies, with the goal of developing an integrated innovation pipeline spanning early diagnosis to next-generation therapeutics.

An Internationally Acclaimed Scientist

Prof. Ip is President of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and concurrently serves as Director of the State Key Laboratory of Nervous System Disorders and Director of the Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases. Prior to joining HKUST, she was a Senior Staff Scientist at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals in the United States. Since joining HKUST, she has held a number of key leadership positions, including Head of the Department of Biochemistry, Dean of Science, and Vice-President for Research and Development, before assuming the presidency of the University in 2022.

Renowned internationally for her scientific achievements and academic leadership, Prof. Ip is an elected member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the US National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), Academia Europaea, and the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences. Her many honors include the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Award, the State Natural Science Award of China (twice), and recognition by Nature as one of China’s “Ten Science Stars”. She was also appointed Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite by the French Government and awarded both the Silver Bauhinia Star and Bronze Bauhinia Star by the HKSAR Government.

The UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences was established by UNESCO to recognize outstanding scientific achievements that advance human health and improve quality of life. The Prize promotes scientific excellence, international collaboration, and the development of research networks worldwide. This year’s prize is shared by three laureates, who jointly receive US$300,000 and an Integración Tribal statuette created by Equatorial Guinean artist Leandro Mbomio Nsue.

Hashtag: #HKUST

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) (https://hkust.edu.hk/) is a world-class university renowned for its excellence in innovative education, research, and impactful knowledge transfer. Adopting a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to education, HKUST was ranked 33rd globally and 6th in Asia in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and QS Asia University Rankings 2026, respectively. It was also ranked 20th worldwide in the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026, placing first among universities in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland for the third consecutive year. Eleven HKUST subjects were ranked among the world’s top 50 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. In addition, HKUSTs Computer Science discipline, which encompasses areas such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, was ranked No. 1 in Hong Kong for the tenth consecutive year in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2026. Its graduates are highly competitive, consistently ranking among the world’s top 30 most sought-after employees. In research and entrepreneurship, more than 80% of HKUST’s research was rated “world-leading” or “internationally excellent” in the University Grants Committee’s Research Assessment Exercise 2020. As of September 2026, HKUST members have founded more than 2,000 active start-ups, including 11 unicorns and 23 successful exits through initial public offerings (IPOs) or mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

In announcing the award, UNESCO recognized Prof. Ip as an internationally renowned neuroscientist whose research has significantly advanced the understanding of brain function and neurodegenerative diseases. It highlighted her team’s discoveries of novel biomarkers and genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease, the development of an innovative blood-based diagnostic technology that enables earlier detection and monitoring of the disease, and her pioneering advances in gene therapy research that have opened new avenues for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

Receiving the award in Paris, Prof. Ip expressed her heartfelt gratitude to her research team, collaborators and colleagues, and thanked HKUST for its steadfast support throughout her scientific journey.

Prof. Ip said: “I am deeply honored to receive the UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences. This recognition belongs not only to me, but also to the many talented and dedicated team members, collaborators and colleagues who have contributed to these achievements. It reflects our shared commitment to advancing knowledge, deepening our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease, and translating scientific discoveries into meaningful benefits for patients and society.“

She added: “Alzheimer’s disease is not just a scientific and medical challenge. It is also a deeply human one, profoundly affecting the lives of those living with the disease and their families. Their courage reminds us why our work matters and inspires us to reach higher.”

Prof. Ip also emphasized the importance of global scientific collaboration and nurturing future generations of researchers. “Science is a collective endeavor,” she said. “Every breakthrough is built on collaboration across disciplines, institutions and borders. As a scientist and university president, I believe we must also empower young researchers by giving them the freedom to pursue their curiosity, the confidence to take intellectual risks, and the support they need to tackle the grand challenges facing humanity.”

Breakthrough Contributions to Neuroscience and Alzheimer’s Disease Research

Prof. Ip has devoted more than three decades to advancing research on neurodegenerative diseases. To date, she has published over 350 scholarly papers and holds 144 patents. Her pioneering work has significantly deepened scientific understanding of intercellular communication in the nervous system, synaptic signaling, and the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases. Her research team has also achieved a series of breakthroughs in identifying protein targets associated with these disorders, opening new avenues for their diagnosis and treatment.

Recognizing that Alzheimer’s disease research has historically relied heavily on data from Western populations, with Asian populations being relatively underrepresented, Prof. Ip led her team in establishing a large-scale Chinese Alzheimer’s disease biobank. By integrating clinical data, neuroimaging information, and multi-omics datasets from Chinese populations, the team successfully identified multiple genetic risk factors prevalent among Chinese individuals. These findings have provided important scientific insights into disease mechanisms and laid a foundation for the development of precision diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

In recent years, Prof. Ip and her team have made significant advances in the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and the clinical translation of related research. They co-developed a highly accurate, minimally invasive, and efficient blood-based diagnostic test that can aid early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and help identify individuals with mild cognitive impairment, thereby supporting timely clinical assessment and intervention planning, as well as the identification of suitable participants for clinical trials. The technology has been adopted by multiple healthcare institutions in Hong Kong and has since been expanded into community settings, helping to inform more effective disease management and risk-reduction strategies. Meanwhile, the team is actively exploring novel gene therapy approaches for familial Alzheimer’s disease through gene-editing technologies, with the goal of developing an integrated innovation pipeline spanning early diagnosis to next-generation therapeutics.

An Internationally Acclaimed Scientist

Prof. Ip is President of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and concurrently serves as Director of the State Key Laboratory of Nervous System Disorders and Director of the Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases. Prior to joining HKUST, she was a Senior Staff Scientist at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals in the United States. Since joining HKUST, she has held a number of key leadership positions, including Head of the Department of Biochemistry, Dean of Science, and Vice-President for Research and Development, before assuming the presidency of the University in 2022.

Renowned internationally for her scientific achievements and academic leadership, Prof. Ip is an elected member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the US National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), Academia Europaea, and the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences. Her many honors include the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Award, the State Natural Science Award of China (twice), and recognition by Nature as one of China’s “Ten Science Stars”. She was also appointed Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite by the French Government and awarded both the Silver Bauhinia Star and Bronze Bauhinia Star by the HKSAR Government.

The UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences was established by UNESCO to recognize outstanding scientific achievements that advance human health and improve quality of life. The Prize promotes scientific excellence, international collaboration, and the development of research networks worldwide. This year’s prize is shared by three laureates, who jointly receive US$300,000 and an Integración Tribal statuette created by Equatorial Guinean artist Leandro Mbomio Nsue.

Hashtag: #HKUST

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) (https://hkust.edu.hk/) is a world-class university renowned for its excellence in innovative education, research, and impactful knowledge transfer. Adopting a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to education, HKUST was ranked 33rd globally and 6th in Asia in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and QS Asia University Rankings 2026, respectively. It was also ranked 20th worldwide in the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026, placing first among universities in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland for the third consecutive year. Eleven HKUST subjects were ranked among the world’s top 50 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. In addition, HKUSTs Computer Science discipline, which encompasses areas such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, was ranked No. 1 in Hong Kong for the tenth consecutive year in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2026. Its graduates are highly competitive, consistently ranking among the world’s top 30 most sought-after employees. In research and entrepreneurship, more than 80% of HKUST’s research was rated “world-leading” or “internationally excellent” in the University Grants Committee’s Research Assessment Exercise 2020. As of September 2026, HKUST members have founded more than 2,000 active start-ups, including 11 unicorns and 23 successful exits through initial public offerings (IPOs) or mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

Held from Nov. 2 to 5 in Ningbo, the 2026 Global Mayors Dialogue · Ningbo, themed “Openness and Connectivity for Shared Opportunities”, has brought together more than 260 participants, including mayors and their representatives from 20 cities of 15 countries, such as France, Italy and New Zealand, as well as representatives of international organizations such as the United Nations Global Compact, business representatives and media professionals.

After in-depth discussions, the representatives agreed on three points of consensus covering deepening industrial cooperation, upholding trade openness and promoting people-to-people exchanges.

They agreed that advancing industrial development through cooperation, creating opportunities through openness, and fostering closer people-to-people ties are important ways to keep pace with economic globalization and promote urban prosperity and people’s well-being.

Participants will build on their respective strengths and resource endowments, identify their comparative advantages and pursue distinctive paths of open development. They will promote complementarity and resource sharing, expand two-way investment, and foster an open, inclusive and mutually beneficial environment for innovation, enabling the sharing of innovation outcomes.

On trade and openness, participants have pledged to firmly uphold the multilateral trading system, strengthen connectivity, facilitate the orderly flow and efficient allocation of production factors, safeguard stable and smooth supply chains, and resolve differences through dialogue.

They have also agreed to deepen exchanges and cooperation in culture, education, healthcare and other fields, improve mechanisms for interaction and expand people-to-people exchanges to foster mutual understanding and closer ties. They called for promoting exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations to overcome estrangement and prevent conflicts.

Looking ahead, participants will continue to promote openness and connectivity and share development opportunities, build new mechanisms for city-to-city cooperation, and strengthen mutual understanding and trust, contributing to the sustainable development of cities worldwide.

Guided by the State Council Information Office, the 2026 Global Mayors Dialogue · Ningbo is co-hosted by the People’s Government of Ningbo Municipality, the Information Office of the People’s Government of Zhejiang Province, and Xinhua News Agency Zhejiang Bureau.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Melco joins forces with industry leaders to deliver on the city’s Big Health vision

MACAU SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 November 2026 – To accelerate the high-quality development of the Big Health industry in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), the “1st Greater Bay Area Health and Longevity Summit & Awards Ceremony”, proudly sponsored by Melco Resorts & Entertainment, concluded successfully today at Studio City. Jointly organized by Hong Kong Ta Kung Wen Wei Media Group (MACAO) and iRad Hospital, the landmark event brought together international pioneers and industry leaders, drawing more than 360 guests including members of the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee, for high-level dialogue and exchange on the latest developments shaping the future of health and longevity.

As the Strategic Sponsor, Melco reinforced its commitment to Macao’s Big Health sector. This advances the vision established with its October 2025 launch of iRad Hospital in partnership with the iRad Medical Group at Studio City—the world’s first and Macao’s only integrated resort hospital equipped with both MRI and CT scanning facilities.

Mr. Lawrence Ho, Chairman & CEO of Melco, said, “As Macao pursues its ‘1+4’ appropriate economic diversification strategy, Melco is proud to support this inaugural wellness and longevity summit. With iRad Hospital at Studio City, we are bridging cutting-edge longevity science and world-class hospitality together under one roof – and today’s exchange of ideas among leading experts from across the world is exactly how Macao will grow into a premier global hub for medical tourism and Big Health innovation. We sincerely thank our co-organizers and the distinguished speakers and experts for sharing their invaluable insights and expertise, which contributed to the success of this inaugural event.”

Featuring an exceptional line-up of 25 global speakers from 10 regions, the Summit delivered a dynamic programme of keynotes and high-level discussions addressing the future of health and longevity. The three highly anticipated keynotes included:

Keynote 1: “One Gene. Cancer. Aging. One Switch” – Presented by Professor Dean Felsher of Stanford University, a leading cancer researcher specializing in oncology and pathology. He currently serves as the Founding Director of the Translational Research and Applied Medicine (TRAM) Program. His pioneering research focuses on the concept of oncogene addiction, utilizing innovative model systems to translate basic science breakthroughs into targeted therapeutics and novel cancer treatments.

Keynote 2: “Don’t Die: One Man’s War on Aging” – Presented by Bryan Johnson, Founder of Blueprint, and Kate Tolo, Co-Founder of Blueprint and Immortals. Together, they are pioneering the global longevity and biohacking movement by transforming rigorous health data tracking into accessible consumer protocols. Their multi-million dollar open-science experiments actively track thousands of biological markers to optimize human healthspan and redefine the limits of aging.

Keynote 3: “The Future of Longevity is Delicious” – Presented by René Redzepi and Peter Kreiner of Noma, a world-famous Copenhagen-based restaurant and food innovation lab. Together, they champion culinary exploration by unlocking the potential of hidden, wild, and treasured natural ingredients through advanced fermentation and foraging. Their work demonstrates how meticulous preparation methods and nutrient-rich, unadulterated ingredients can harmoniously elevate both exceptional flavor and long-term human wellness and longevity.

A series of high-level fireside chats further explored cutting-edge developments across wellness and longevity, science, technology and healthcare, with sessions including “Wellness & Longevity: From Vitality to Science”, “The Convergence of Quantum Computing and Biochemistry in Drug Development”, “Imaging, Omics & AI”, “Data Trust: Privacy and the Future of Health Data” and “Heritage & Innovation: New Pathways for High-Quality TCM Development in the GBA”.

Mr. Dennis Tam, Honorary Chairman of iRad Hospital and President and CEO of Black Spade Capital, said, “Longevity doesn’t begin in a laboratory. It begins with people. At iRad, we are building the Longevity+ brand around exactly that idea — bringing world-class science and genuine human connection under one roof. This first Greater Bay Area Health and Longevity Summit in Macau was proof it works: 360 business leaders, professionals, and entrepreneurs, 25 speakers from 10 regions, and conversations that went far beyond any single keynote — all in just four hours. We are proud to keep building it across the Greater Bay Area and beyond, to the world.”

The event was marked by an opening ceremony officiated by distinguished guests including representatives of the event’s Supporting Units: Mr. Lo Iek Long, Director of the Health Bureau of the Macao SAR Government; Mr. Choi Peng Cheong, Director of the Pharmaceutical Administration Bureau of the Macao SAR Government; Mr. Larry Leong, Acting President of the Board of Directors of the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute of the Macao SAR Government; and Mr. U U Sang, Deputy Director of the Economic and Technological Development Bureau of the Macao SAR Government; other government officials: Mr. Yang Quanzhou, Deputy Director-General of the Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR; Mr. Cheong Chok Man, Director of the Policy Study and Regional Development Bureau of the Macao SAR Government; Mr. Lio Chi Chong, Acting Director of the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau of the Macao SAR Government; and Mr. Cheng Wai Tong, Acting Director of Macao Government Tourism Office; Mr. Lawrence Ho, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Melco, the event’s Strategic Sponsor; and representatives of the co-organizers: Mr. Zheng Yong Nan, Vice Chairman and General Manager of Hong Kong Ta Kung Wen Wei Media Group; Mr. Dennis Tam, Honorary Chairman of iRad Hospital and President and CEO of Black Spade Capital; Dr. Matthew Ngan, Founder and Chairman of iRad Hospital; and Mr. Kin Wong, CEO of iRad Hospital.

The event culminated in a networking dinner and awards ceremony, honoring 17 outstanding organizations and individuals in the GBA for their contributions to the Big Health industry, medical innovation and the integration of healthcare and tourism.

Hashtag: #Melco #iRad #TaKungWenWei #longevity #GreaterBayArea

https://www.melco-resorts.com
https://hk.linkedin.com/company/melco-resorts-entertainment
https://x.com/MelcoResorts
https://www.facebook.com/MelcoCSR/
Wechat: 新濠博亚娱乐
https://www.instragram.com/melco.resorts

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited

The Company, with its American depositary shares listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (Nasdaq: MLCO), is a developer, owner and operator of integrated resort facilities in Asia and Europe. The Company currently operates City of Dreams (www.cityofdreamsmacau.com) and Altira Macau (www.altiramacau.com), integrated resorts located in Cotai and Taipa, Macau, respectively. Its business also includes the Mocha Clubs (www.mochaclubs.com), the only non-casino based operation of electronic gaming machines in Macau. In addition, the Company operates Studio City (www.studiocity-macau.com), a cinematically-themed integrated resort in Cotai, Macau. In the Philippines, the Company operates and manages City of Dreams Manila (www.cityofdreamsmanila.com), an integrated resort in the Entertainment City complex in Manila. In Europe, the Company operates City of Dreams Mediterranean, an integrated resort in Limassol, in the Republic of Cyprus (www.cityofdreamsmed.com.cy) and licensed satellite casinos in other cities in Cyprus (the “Cyprus Casinos”). In South Asia, the Company operates the casino and manages the Nüwa hotel at City of Dreams Sri Lanka (www.cityofdreamssrilanka.com), an integrated resort in Colombo, Sri Lanka. For more information about the Company, please visitwww.melco-resorts.com.

The Company is majority owned by Melco International Development Limited, a company listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, which is in turn majority owned and led by Mr. Lawrence Ho, who is the Chairman, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

By Ashok Nilakantan Ayers WASHINGTON: America enters Election Day on Tuesday, November 3, with its political temperature rising and its institutional balance of power hanging in the balance. The midterm elections, ordinarily a referendum on the party occupying the White House, have become something more consequential: a test of Donald Trump’s political authority, the Republican […]

The article America On Edge: November 3 Mid Term Polls Outcome May Weaken Trump appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

Katayama said Tokyo would continue operating under its existing understanding with Washington regardless of the election outcome, maintaining a common commitment to orderly foreign exchange markets while each government pursues its own economic objectives.

“We issued a joint statement together, and we will act in line with that,” she told a regular news conference. “If there are disorderly moves or excessive speculative movements, we will take action.”

Her comments came as investors assessed the implications of Tuesday’s American elections for the dollar, US government bond yields and the yen. The vote will determine control of the House of Representatives and Senate, potentially altering President Donald Trump’s legislative prospects.

Katayama stressed that Japan’s engagement with the US Treasury was continuing and that a change in congressional control would not automatically alter the officials responsible for currency discussions. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is her American counterpart.

“We have been in constant talks with them and will continue to do so,” she said, emphasising the importance of preventing disruptive movements rather than defending any particular exchange rate.

The yen traded around 157.8 against the dollar on Monday, remaining under pressure as traders weighed the possibility of renewed official efforts to support the currency. Katayama declined to judge whether the prevailing exchange rate was appropriate or to identify a threshold that might trigger official action.

She said market conditions had improved compared with the period when the Japanese currency weakened beyond 160 per dollar. Nevertheless, the government remained concerned about excessive volatility and transactions driven by speculation.

“I believe there is absolutely no wavering on either side in seeking to prevent excessive volatility, speculative moves and disorderly market developments, while pursuing our respective policy objectives,” Katayama said.

The distinction between exchange rate levels and the speed of currency movements is important for Japan’s intervention policy. Officials have repeatedly avoided committing themselves to a fixed dollar-yen rate, leaving room to respond when trading conditions threaten broader financial stability.

Monday’s remarks did not constitute an announcement of fresh intervention. They instead reiterated that the authorities retain the option of action and intend to consult Washington when necessary to preserve confidence in the functioning of international currency markets. Neither government disclosed a new operation or a revised bilateral arrangement on Monday.

Japan and the United States carried out coordinated yen-buying intervention on 31 July after persistent currency weakness raised concerns about market instability. Subsequent discussions between Katayama and Bessent reaffirmed their intention to discourage disorderly trading and maintain communication between their financial authorities.

At a meeting in North Carolina in August, the two finance chiefs agreed to continue cooperating on orderly currency movements. Katayama subsequently repeated that the policy stance established following their joint market action had not changed.

That understanding provides the immediate context for her latest assurances. It does not mean that every fluctuation in the yen will prompt intervention, or that the two governments necessarily share identical preferences about the currency’s value.

The approaching US elections add uncertainty because shifts in expectations for American fiscal policy can affect Treasury yields and the dollar. A change in the outlook for government borrowing or spending could influence the interest rate differential that helps shape demand for yen-denominated assets.

Such market responses remain contingent on the election result and subsequent policy decisions. Katayama offered no forecast for the vote or specific projection for the yen, concentrating instead on the established mechanism for communication with Washington.

Japan’s authorities also face domestic concerns surrounding the currency. A weaker yen can increase the local cost of imported fuel, food and other goods, complicating efforts to contain household expenses. Exporters, meanwhile, can benefit when overseas earnings are translated into yen, although the effects differ across businesses.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has acknowledged problems associated with an undervalued yen. Katayama referred to shared concerns expressed by Takaichi and Trump during their September discussions, while making clear that maintaining orderly trading remained the operational priority.

The finance minister also addressed fiscal administration on Monday, saying the government would seek greater precision and transparency in its estimates of tax revenue. Her comments on the budget came separately from the currency assurances.