Japanese Yen (JPY)

The Japanese Yen, which literally means "circle", is the third most traded currency in the world. The Yen is theoretically sensitive to the ups and downs of the Nikkei Dow, the Japanese stock market, and the real estate market. The Japanese economy is considered the second-strongest in the world behind the United States. Only the U.S. has a higher Gross National Product (GNP).

Japan has a large surplus in its export/import balance with about ¼ of all its exports going to the U.S. The main exports are cars, electronic devices and computers while the main imports include oil, foodstuffs and wood.

During recent years, exports accounted for most of Japan's economic growth. But recently, more Japanese consumers are optimistic, spending their own money and driving the economic engine without relying as heavily on exports.