Japan followed Switzerland in intervening in the foreign-exchange market in an effort to stem an appreciating exchange rate that threatened to damage export competitiveness. Japan acted alone in the market, while officials were in contact with other nations, Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda told reporters in Tokyo today. He also suggested that the central bank may follow with monetary stimulus, saying that he hoped the Bank of Japan would take appropriate action. The BOJ separately brought forward by a day the end of its scheduled policy meeting. Switzerland is also contending with a surge in its foreign- exchange ... (full story)