Japanese yen

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, the Japanese company at the center of a supplement contamination scandal linked to suspected deaths, is reportedly considering a buyout offer valued at more than ¥500 billion. The move would mark a major development for a firm whose reputation and finances have been damaged since the scandal, and is drawing attention from investors and observers of Japan's consumer health sector.

The US dollar slipped while the Japanese yen rallied after remarks from Japanese officials, and oil prices eased, weighing on currency markets. Traders are watching whether the yen's move signals potential intervention concerns or a shift in Japanese policy talk, while softer oil prices are reshaping expectations around inflation and central bank policy.