Yen vs Yuan - I'm confused !!?

Question

Ok - so US imports heavily from both Japan and China. Imports from both these countries have resulted in job losses. Also, both countries keep buying US treasuries to keep their currencies low. Both can now purchase *a lot* of America with their reserves. So, why is US pressuring China to revalue the yuan but not doing the same to Japan?

Answer 1

Where has the Yen been since mid 1970 to now?

China Yuan is artificially padded + protected by China Central Bank policy (not float, but regulated mostly);

thus THE WORLD urge China, being a major exporter BE FAIR.

Not the USA alone who demands that.

Answer 2

Because the yuan's exchange rate held down to some degree by the Chinese government.  They have a managed float; the government has the power to change the exchange rate.

The yen floats freely, so the Japanese government couldn't do anything directly to revalue the yen.

Answer 3

The US should pressure itself to balance a budget and not issue so many treasuries (2 billion a day!). If the asians no longer have treasuries to buy perhaps they would be forced to buy US products instead. But that would make too much sense.

Answer 4

Because Japan is the US's best ally. Asking Japan to do anything like that would be awkward and perhaps cause political and economical stir.

China is more of a 'leech' to the US, which is why its okay for us to pressure China.