Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama stated on Friday that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is not a "reflationist" and highly respects the independence of the central bank. Katayama said Takaichi herself has repeatedly asked her to clarify this stance to overseas investors to dispel the market's inherent impression that the Japanese government pressures the Bank of Japan to pursue accommodative policies. Minoru Kiuchi, Minister of State for Economic Growth Strategy, also said that the Japanese economy no longer needs reflationary policies, indicating the government's intention to unify its external narrative.