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Japan’s yen rallied sharply against the dollar on Friday as traders braced for further official action from Tokyo after suspected currency intervention jolted global markets during a packed week of central bank decisions.

The dollar fell to around 155.60 yen at one point in London trading, before recovering part of the move to trade near 156.40. The rebound in the yen followed a dramatic reversal on Thursday, when the Japanese currency strengthened by about 3 per cent after the dollar briefly climbed above 160 yen, a level widely viewed in markets as politically sensitive for Tokyo.

Japan’s top currency official Atsushi Mimura said authorities remained concerned about speculative moves and were watching markets closely. Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama had already warned that Tokyo was ready to take decisive action if currency movements became disorderly. The comments reinforced market expectations that further intervention could follow, particularly during Japan’s Golden Week holiday period, when thinner trading conditions can magnify exchange-rate swings.

Bank of Japan money-market data suggested authorities may have spent about 5.48 trillion yen, or roughly $35 billion, to support the currency on Thursday. The scale would be close to the size of Japan’s July 2024 intervention, when authorities moved after the yen weakened to a 38-year low near 162 per dollar. Tokyo typically does not confirm intervention immediately, preferring to disclose monthly figures later, but unusually large projected fund flows at the central bank often provide an early signal of official activity.

The pressure on the yen has been building for months as the interest-rate gap between Japan and the United States remains wide. The Bank of Japan kept its policy rate at around 0.75 per cent this week, although three board members dissented and argued for a rise to 1 per cent. That split underlined growing concern inside the central bank that imported inflation, higher energy costs and yen weakness could feed into domestic prices.

The Federal Reserve also left rates unchanged, keeping its target range at 3.5 to 3.75 per cent. The gap between US and Japanese yields continues to encourage carry trades, in which investors borrow cheaply in yen and invest in higher-yielding dollar assets. Such positioning has made the yen vulnerable whenever markets believe Tokyo’s warnings lack force.

The intervention threat gained urgency after oil prices climbed on concerns over disruption linked to the Iran conflict and risks around the Strait of Hormuz. Japan, heavily dependent on imported energy, faces a double blow from higher crude prices and a weaker currency, which raises the local cost of fuel, food and raw materials. That dynamic complicates the Bank of Japan’s effort to normalise policy gradually without damaging a fragile recovery.

The broader central bank backdrop added to volatility. The European Central Bank kept its deposit rate at 2 per cent while signalling that inflation risks had intensified. The Bank of England held Bank Rate at 3.75 per cent in an 8-1 vote, with one policymaker favouring an increase. Across major economies, policymakers are balancing weaker growth signals against renewed price pressures from energy and supply disruptions.

Currency traders said Japan’s challenge is that intervention can slow a slide but rarely reverses a trend unless supported by monetary policy or a shift in global rates. A one-off operation may force investors to cut speculative positions, but renewed dollar strength can quickly restore pressure on the yen if US yields remain elevated and the Bank of Japan moves cautiously.

The timing of the suspected intervention was also significant. With European markets partly thinned by the May Day holiday and Japan heading into an extended holiday stretch, liquidity conditions were expected to remain fragile. Authorities have often chosen moments of thin trading to maximise the impact of currency operations, but such moves also increase the risk of sudden reversals when full market participation returns.

For households and companies in Japan, the exchange-rate battle has direct economic consequences. A weaker yen benefits exporters by raising the value of overseas earnings, but it also lifts import bills and squeezes consumers through higher costs. Large manufacturers have been able to absorb some of the pressure, while smaller businesses reliant on imported inputs face tighter margins.

Light as a Bridge: A Garden of Light in Miniature

Centered on the theme of “Garden of Light,” the pop-up event blended Putuo’s cultural heritage with Milan’s artistic aesthetic, transforming the compact newsstand into four themed spaces: the Light of Development, the Light of Vitality, the Light of Warmth and the Light of Craftsmanship. Together, they created a refined and richly layered exhibition of urban aesthetics.

The Garden Walk zone conveyed the “Light of Vitality,” with artificial greenery recreating the energy of the Suzhou Creek waterfront. Cultural and creative products from the “Half Marathon Suzhou Creek” collection, including sand-art magnets, liquid-motion coasters and custom scarves, added to the lively atmosphere. The Interactive Experience zone embodied the “Light of Warmth,” linking stamp collecting, message sharing and film screenings to create a welcoming space where every visitor could take part in the cross-cultural exchange. The Craftsmanship Heritage zone interpreted the “Light of Craftsmanship,” featuring century-old Hero pens, intangible cultural heritage bamboo weaving and pieces from the Shanghai Mint, highlighting the brilliance of Eastern craftsmanship through light and shadow. The Light and Shadow Window zone represented the “Light of Development.” Warm light passed through suspended golden bookmarks, casting colorful reflections across the walls and floor, echoing the stained-glass windows of Milan Cathedral.

At the event, local residents and visitors posed for photos with light-and-shadow bookmarks, wrote heartfelt messages on postcards, and captured joyful moments with instant cameras. They collected commemorative stamps as keepsakes, experienced the elegance of Eastern writing with Hero pens, and watched the VR film “HI, This Is Half Marathon Suzhou Creek” for an immersive introduction to Putuo. The pop-up event transcended barriers of language and distance, bringing the urban charm of Putuo to people in Milan through experiences that were tangible, engaging and memorable.

Spring Echoes: Suzhou Creek’s Story Continues in Light

The “Spring Shanghai” themed pop-up was not only a city showcase in Milan, but also a dialogue between two cities across Europe and Asia. To extend the memory of this celebration of light, Putuo has created a “Garden of Light” themed corner at the Half Marathon Suzhou Creek Café & Cultural Creative Store, allowing cultural exchanges between the two places to continue to grow.

Inside the store, white magnolias and azaleas feature throughout the décor, symbolizing friendship and dialogue between the two cities. Decorative decals inspired by the stained-glass windows of Milan Cathedral cast colorful patterns of light across the floor, creating an aesthetic connection between Shanghai and Milan. Messages from visitors collected during the Milan event, handwritten postcards and instant photos will be displayed in artistic installations, including a corridor of greetings and a light-and-shadow photo wall reflecting a blend of Chinese and Italian culture. Limited-edition light-and-shadow bookmarks and other themed merchandise will also be introduced, while messages written by Shanghai residents in response will be compiled into a collection, creating a two-way bond of mutual goodwill.

From Milan to Suzhou Creek, Putuo used light as a bridge to continue the friendship between China and Italy across the two cities, while enabling more people to see and understand the story of “Half Marathon Suzhou Creek.”

Vibrant Putuo: Half Marathon Suzhou Creek in Full Flow

Putuo District is actively participating in China’s Yangtze River Delta integration strategy. It supports the development of the Shanghai–Nanjing Industrial Innovation Belt, advances the “one belt, one core, one city” framework, and promotes a vision of a coordinated innovation zone and a high-quality Half Marathon Suzhou Creek area. A digital-driven upgrade of the bulk commodity trade supply chain is currently taking shape. Along the Suzhou Creek waterfront, ecological landscapes are increasingly being transformed into spaces for industrial development. The Zhenru sub-center is speeding up its digital transformation, combining heritage with modern urban functions and integrating cultural and commercial activity. Taopu Smart City is emerging as a hub for R&D and advanced manufacturing, as it moves toward becoming a model for integrated urban-industrial development. Together, these developments are helping drive Putuo’s high-quality growth.

Industrial growth brings urban vitality, and a vibrant city improves people’s quality of life. Building on a solid foundation of high-quality development, Putuo is shaping a livable and business-friendly district defined by energy and human warmth. It is both a hub for sports and an appealing place to live. Major events such as the Suzhou Creek Half Marathon, dragon boat races, the 10km Elite Race and the National Curling Championships showcase the district’s dynamism and competitive spirit. Daily life offers a different rhythm. TOP Central Park provides expansive green space, the RV Music Festival draws crowds with live performances, M50 Creative Park remains a center for arts and culture, and Hong Shou Fang blends Shanghai-style charm with the atmosphere of neighborhood street life. Putuo is working to build a district-wide “15-minute community living circle,” giving residents convenient access to education, healthcare, eldercare and retail services. It is advancing child-friendly urban development, expanding the silver economy to better serve seniors, and creating homes and support services for the city’s builders and frontline workers. Through these efforts, openness, inclusiveness and warmth have become defining features of the district.

To learn more about Spring Shanghai and Spring Putuo, please watch the video here: https://youtu.be/196Fmmbrsio.

Hashtag: #PUTUO

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

The auction preview brought together a rare timepiece, a significant work of jewelry art, and a highly limited collectible — each with a provenance and a place in the collector market that extends well beyond its auction estimate. The evening was led by Vickie Sek, Deputy Chairman and Asia Pacific Chairman of Christie’s, and Alexandre Bigler, Senior Vice President and Head of Watches for Asia Pacific, whose attendance of the event in Bangkok reflects the growing weight of the city’s collector community on the regional stage. This year marks Christie’s 40th year of presence in Asia.

Porsche Design Tower Bangkok served as co-host — an adequate setting that reflects the exclusivity of the objects on display. Born from the collaboration between Porsche Design and Ananda Development PCL, the tower is guided by Professor F. A. Porsche’s founding principle of optimising function while uncompromisingly reducing form to the essentials. The result is ‘Sky Villa’ residences — distinguished by design, exclusive in the truest sense, and coveted by those who understand the true meaning and value of architectural excellence. With just 22 residences, Porsche Design Tower Bangkok underscores its profound exclusivity but unequivocally establishes it as an unparalleled, coveted address. Beyond the preview, the evening served as an intimate occasion for Porsche Design Tower Bangkok to host its clients and prospective owners within a setting that reflected the project’s own collector values.

Central to that distinction is the ‘Passion Space’ — a private collector’s garage directly connected to each residence by private lift. Whatever its owner chooses to place within it, the ‘Passion Space’ was designed with the same conviction that defined the evening: that what individuals surround themselves with is never incidental.

Porsche Design Tower Bangkok emerges as one of merely two Porsche Design residential towers globally, drawing a parallel only with its prestigious Miami counterpart.

For those who value the extraordinary, Porsche Design Tower Bangkok welcomes private viewings by appointment at pdtowerbangkok.com.

Hashtag: #PorscheDesign

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

About Porsche Design:

In 1963, Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche created one of the most iconic design objects in contemporary history: the Porsche 911. Following his vision to take the principles and myth of Porsche beyond the automotive world, he created the exclusive lifestyle brand Porsche Design in 1972. His philosophy and design language can still be seen in all Porsche Design products today. Every Porsche Design product stands for extraordinary precision and perfection, boasts a high level of technological innovation and seamlessly combines intelligent functionality and puristic design. Created by Studio F. A. Porsche in Austria, our products are sold worldwide in Porsche Design stores, high-end department stores, exclusive specialist retailers and the official online store (porsche-design.com).

• Agentic Mobile Protocol (AMP) is the world’s first agentic payment framework designed for mobile interfaces, including digital wallets, super apps, and wearable devices.
• Fully open-sourced, the protocol enables LLMs, platforms and merchants’ seamless agentic connection to 4.4 billion digital wallet users worldwide through simple and secure integration.

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 April 2026 – Ant International is introducing the Agentic Mobile Protocol (AMP) for the agentic commerce industry to enable secure, AIOps-native agentic payment connection to mobile services including digital wallets, banking apps, super apps, and mobile portals from phones to wearable devices.

“We are deeply grateful for partners, acquirers and developers who contributed to this project. An agentic protocol for mobile commerce that ensures superior efficiency and security results will be key for businesses large and small expanding into the world’s fastest growing markets. We look forward to expanding our multi-layered partnerships to enable real-world successes of AI commerce,” said Jiang-Ming Yang, Chief Innovation Officer, Ant International.

Wallets and mobile payment key driver for agentic commerce

The global agentic commerce market could reach around USD 28 billion by 2030 with a 46% CAGR as the industry fast-forwards from pilot AI agent programs to full-scale autonomous transaction systems^[1]. The number of global digital wallet users reached 4.4 billion in 2025, and is expected to exceed 6 billion – over 75% of the global population – by 2030^[2].

While the new payment rails are positioned to become a primary interface for AI commerce, current AI payments protocols are designed largely for card rails. Merchants and digital wallets need to be able to offer smooth payment experience, authenticate trusted agents and verify credentials without disruption, as well as seamlessly handle post-checkout settlement and transaction management tasks in a mobile- and AI-native environment.

With the Agentic Mobile Protocol, merchants – LLMs, AI platforms, merchants with self-developed agents, and agent builders – and digital wallets can embed agentic payment functionality directly into their workflows, eliminating the need for system overhauls.

Ant International has open-sourced the AMP to help establish a universal, auditable standard to ensure that AI agents can transact securely and seamlessly across any global platform.

The AMP framework features:

• A superior agentic checkout experience through:
  • Faster agent integration: reducing the number of steps required to link a payment agent to a digital wallet by 50% compared to traditional card-binding methods.
  • Money-back guarantee: every agent-initiated transaction is backed by a money-back guarantee mechanism for payment partners in cases of account takeovers.
  • Cross-device compatibility: payment agents can work on mobile interfaces across smartphones, smartwatches, AR glasses and in-car systems, a capability absent in card-based systems.

• A more efficient and secure trust architecture for agent delegation to ensure secure and precise delegation of payment authority to AI agents — whether it is ordering coffee, booking a ride, or planning a trip – with full visibility and the ability to revoke or modify tasks at any time.

• A high-frequency agent-to-agent (A2A) settlement mechanism enables automated, ultra-small transactions between AI agents. It’s capable of handling nano-transactions as small as $0.000001 between agents with real-time accounting and clearing. A2A settlement is crucial to agentic economy, which requires the capacity to process high-frequency, sub-cent agent transactions that traditional payment rails cannot support.

• A full-spectrum Know Your Agent (KYA) framework establishes an agent’s digital identity and certifies its authorised capabilities. The proprietary Agent Trust Rating mechanism offers an additional layer of protection, a dynamic risk-management tool that determines whether an agent is trustworthy and controls the level of autonomy.

A 40 member-strong wallet ecosystem in cross-sector coordination

Ant International is working with wallet partners of Alipay+, the company’s global wallet gateway, to implement the AMP. Alipay+ now connects over 40 digital wallet partners, covering 1.8 billion user accounts and 150 million merchants globally.

Building on this payment partnership network that spans wallets, acquirers, super apps and cards, Ant International is among the first partners of Mastercard and Visa to pilot card-based transaction capabilities for AI agents, while collaborating with Google on its protocols for agentic commerce and payments.

Hashtag: #AntInternational

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

About Ant International

Ant International is a leading global digital payment, digitisation and financial technology provider. Through collaboration across the private and public sectors, our unified techfin platform supports financial institutions and merchants of all sizes to achieve inclusive growth through a comprehensive range of cutting-edge digital payment and financial services solutions. To learn more, please visit https://www.ant-intl.com/