EXCLUSIVE: Bessent's 'to do' list: buy $5-10 billion worth of Japanese yen, Reuters photo shows

Bessent's internal 'to‑do' list, obtained by Reuters and reproduced by The Guardian, contains a specific proposal that the United States purchase between five and ten billion US dollars’ worth of Japanese yen. The proposal is presented as a line‑item among other actions the firm or individual intends to pursue. Both Reuters and The Guardian foreground the yen‑purchase suggestion, treating it as the headline element of the disclosure. Reuters describes the material as an exclusive, noting that the accompanying photo verifies the handwritten nature of the list. The Guardian’s report mirrors the same figures and highlights the potential scale of a U.S. purchase in the multi‑billion‑dollar range.

The parallel reporting underscores the newsworthiness of the proposal across major business outlets. The suggestion of a U.S. acquisition of Japanese yen places the item within the broader context of foreign‑exchange activity, where large‑scale purchases can affect currency markets. Historically, coordinated buying of foreign currency has been used as a tool to influence exchange rates or to signal policy intent. Accordingly, a proposal of the magnitude cited—up to ten billion dollars—draws attention from market participants and policymakers who monitor such moves for possible impact on the yen‑dollar relationship. Future coverage is likely to track any official response from U.S.

Treasury, the Federal Reserve, or the State Department regarding the feasibility of the suggested purchase. Analysts will also watch for commentary from Japanese financial authorities and for market data that could reflect anticipatory positioning. Subsequent reporting by Reuters, The Guardian, or other financial news services will be essential to confirm whether the proposal advances beyond the list.