DUBAI, Sept 19 - Bank of Japan Governor Toshihiko Fukui said on Friday currencies would be a topic at the meeting of Group of Seven finance chiefs but downplayed speculation that Japan's foreign exchange policy would come under fire. "The G7 is not a place to criticise specific policies," he told reporters when asked about growing criticism by other G7 countries of Japan's heavy currency market interventions. "Currencies will be discussed in the framework of putting the global economy on a sustainable growth track," Fukui said after arriving in Dubai ahead of the Saturday meeting of finance ministers from the rich industrial countries.
Fukui is heading the Japan team along with Vice Finance Minister for International Affairs Zembei Mizoguchi because Japanese Finance Minister Masajuro Shiokawa is absent due to recent illness. When asked about Japan's stance on China's currency policy, Fukui said he hoped for "constructive talks" on the issue while also respecting China's position.//