By the way, the worst record in terms of [inflation] being above target was 15 straight months [from February 2008 to April 2009]. What we learned from the past is that what is happening abroad could really bring [domestic] inflation off-target for a long time.
In the foreign exchange market, the yen depreciated toward the end of the month, due mainly to an improvement in some U.S. economic indicators. After that, the yen rebounded reflecting further investment in Japanese stocks by foreign investors, and is currently traded in the range of 117-119 yen to the U.S. dollar.