During finance meetings in Washington, Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato urged G20 countries to work together to stabilize financial markets that have been unsettled by a range of factors.
Kato pointed to geopolitical tensions, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as trade measures such as US tariffs and the retaliatory steps some countries have taken, as contributors to market volatility and economic damage. He stressed the importance of the G20 closely monitoring developments, sharing timely information and coordinating policy responses to preserve global economic stability.
Kato said he planned to meet with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Thursday. He also recalled raising concerns about China’s excess production capacity during G7 discussions, urging collective action to address China’s “domestic imbalances” in order to support more balanced global growth.
Emphasizing cooperation, Kato called for continued dialogue among major economies to reduce policy uncertainty and limit spillovers across markets. He highlighted that a coordinated approach—combining market surveillance, transparent information-sharing and targeted policy measures—would help mitigate risks stemming from geopolitical shocks and trade tensions.
Kato’s remarks reflect broader efforts by G20 members to strengthen financial resilience and protect growth amid rising global risks. By advocating for close monitoring and collaborative responses, he signaled Japan’s support for multilateral solutions to stabilize markets and promote sustainable economic recovery.