This week is decider for yen: fourth annual loss or top currency

Tokyo

THE yen's fate in 2015 hinges on what happens this week: whether it has a record fourth annual decline, or is this year's best-performing major currency.

With just four days left, Japan's currency has slipped 0.6 per cent versus the dollar this year. That makes it the second-best performer among 16 major currencies against the greenback, behind the top-ranked Swiss franc which has strengthened 0.8 per cent. The Japanese currency advanced for four straight days through Friday amid declines in stocks.