Japan's top currency official said on Monday that the government will respond appropriately to any excessive moves in the foreign-exchange market.

The comment by Finance Ministry official Kanda Masato comes as the Japanese currency continues to weaken.
It fell to the 143-yen level against the dollar for the first time in about seven months on Friday.

Kanda said that it is desirable for the exchange rate to remain stable, but the recent trend seems rapid and one-sided.

He said " It is natural to take appropriate measures if needed. And take my word for it. We are not ruling out any option."

The widening interest-rate gap caused by the Bank of Japan's ultra-easy monetary policy and tightening by the US and European central banks has driven the yen-selling.