Japan's prime minister Takaichi said she would not comment at this time on the possibility of a cabinet reshuffle.

Japan is considering bringing foreign-bank financing into US gas-fired power projects within its $550bln investment pledge to the United States, saying such financing would help raise necessary foreign-currency funds. JP Morgan and other US banks are close to agreements to provide financing under the framework; loans would sit alongside Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) lending and could be guaranteed by Nippon Export & Investment Insurance (NEXI). The banks would help fund projects in Pennsylvania and Texas with combined value of about $33bln.

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae said Japan's economy is beginning to recover.