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Mitsui OSK Lines Chair Warns Yen Volatility Threatens Global Market Stability
Transportation · Marine Shipping · cnbc · 2026-09-09
9104.T-JP
The chairman of Mitsui OSK Lines highlights that while a weak yen aids revenue, extreme currency fluctuations create dangerous uncertainty for global trade.
What Happened
Currency Volatility Concerns: Takeshi Hashimoto, chairman of Mitsui OSK Lines, has expressed significant concern regarding the erratic performance of the Japanese yen. While the company benefits from a weaker currency due to its U.S. dollar-denominated revenue, he argued that extreme swings create a confused and unstable environment for financial markets.
Desired Stability Levels: Hashimoto indicated that a stable trading range between 150 and 155 yen to the dollar would be ideal for business operations. The currency has experienced intense pressure throughout 2026, necessitating multiple interventions by Japanese and U.S. authorities to curb excessive depreciation.
Shipping Disruptions: Regarding operations in the Strait of Hormuz, the chairman remains pessimistic about a near-term return to normal service levels. Data from Kpler confirms that ship transits in the region have hit their lowest levels since May, reflecting ongoing regional tensions.
Outlook for Recovery: The company is monitoring diplomatic efforts between Iran and neighboring Gulf states, hoping for a resolution that could eventually stabilize maritime routes. However, Hashimoto cautioned that any meaningful improvement in shipping conditions will likely require a significant amount of time to materialize.