Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer

Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama on Thursday denied a media report claiming that she was criticized by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent over limiting the Bank of Japan's autonomy.

The New York Times reported its online version Tuesday that Bessent had pressed Katayama on why the central bank was not being given autonomy, when the two dined together during his visit to Japan in May.

"I have never been questioned (by Bessent)," Katayama told reporters at the Prime Minister's Office after briefing Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on the recent Group of 20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting.

The New York Times also reported that Bessent had expressed frustration with Takaichi's economic policies during the dinner, which Katayama also denied.

Katayama told reporters that she has held discussions with Bessent on various topics since assuming the finance minister's post in October. "I have not received any particular complaints," she said.

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This article is from The Yomiuri Shimbun. Neither Dow Jones Newswires, MarketWatch, Barron's nor The Wall Street Journal were involved in the creation of this content.

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