Yen hits 40-year low

The Japanese yen remains weak, with the exchange rate falling below 4.8 Hong Kong dollars per 100 yen, marking the lowest level in about 40 years.

Some local residents are taking advantage of the drop to buy yen cash.

At a money exchange shop in Sham Shui Po, the shop owner said customer traffic is noticeably higher than usual,and many have pre-ordered yen.

A Hong Kong writer who regularly travels to Japan says that many Hong Kong e-payment platforms also work in Japan, and can be more cost-effective compared with cash.

Discounts or coupons may be available when making purchases at drugstores and restaurants.

Also, 100 yen costs 4.8 Hong Kong dollars with no service fee on e-payment platforms while physical shops can charge 4.82 or 4.85 Hong Kong dollars for the same amount.

Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said the government will take "decisive action" if necessary to counter further yen weakness.