For years, U.S. President Donald Trump has accused Japan of engaging in "unfair trade practices" — a criticism that dates back to his days as a real estate mogul.

In March, Trump again singled out Japan, alleging that Tokyo weakened its currency to gain an unfair trade advantage. "I've called the leaders of Japan to say you can't continue to reduce and break down your currency," he said.

Then–Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reportedly told Japan's parliament that the country was not pursuing a so-called "currency devaluation policy" — a point that his predecessors, including the late Shinzo Abe, had stressed in their meetings with Trump.

Now, as Abe's protégé, Sanae Takaichi , is poised to helm the world's fourth-largest economy, the same concern could be rearing its ugly head again.

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