Japan's interest rates have been compressed toward zero because of pressure coming through the foreign exchanges. Twenty years of current-account surpluses have led to a huge buildup of claims - mainly dollars - on foreigners. Because of ongoing fluctuations in the yen/dollar exchange rate,...

Japan's interest rates have been compressed toward zero because of pressure coming through the foreign exchanges. Twenty years of current-account surpluses have led to a huge buildup of claims - mainly dollars - on foreigners. Because of ongoing fluctuations in the yen/dollar exchange rate,...

May 2002 <p> Japan's interest rates have been compressed toward zero because of pressure coming through the foreign exchanges. Twenty years of current account surpluses have led to a huge build up of claims – mainly dollars – on foreigners. Because of ongoing fluctuations in the yen/dollar...</p>