Is the yen getting stronger? What ¥10,000 costs in ringgit now (Bank Negara rate, 28 Sept 2026)

This week's news · Checked 2026-09-28

Short answer (checked 7 Nov 2026). At the latest European Central Bank (ECB) reference rate, dated 6 Nov 2026 (retrieved 7 Nov 2026 via frankfurter.app): RM1 = ¥39.006, ¥10,000 = RM256.37 and RM1,000 = ¥39,006. A year ago, on 7 Nov 2025 (same ECB rate): RM1 = ¥36.66, ¥10,000 = RM272.78 and RM1,000 = ¥36,660. So ¥10,000 now costs about RM16 (6%) less than a year ago. These are rates between banks: at a money changer or on your card you get fewer yen per ringgit. If you shop tax-free: since 1 Nov 2026 you pay the tax-inclusive price, then get the refund after you scan your passport at a customs kiosk before check-in (how the new tax refund works).

The Bank Negara rates below are from 25 and 28 Sept 2026 (the original report). The ECB rate and Bank Negara's middle rate are worked out differently, so the numbers don't match exactly.

What happened. The yen rose against the US dollar, but not against the ringgit. Bloomberg (via The Star, 28 September 2026) reports that the yen "strengthened as much as 1.2%, the most since Sept 7, to 156.94 per dollar" on Friday 25 September, after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in a meeting with US President Donald Trump that an undervalued currency is "problematic". Markets see the area around 160 yen per dollar as where the risk of intervention rises, and Japan spent a record ¥15.4 trillion (US$97.4 billion) intervening in the month to 26 August (same report).

In ringgit. Bank Negara Malaysia's middle rate at 17:00 on 25 September was RM2.5761 per ¥100, so ¥10,000 ≈ RM257.61 and RM1,000 ≈ ¥38,800. On 7 September (12:00) it was RM2.5949 per ¥100 (¥10,000 ≈ RM259.49). So for a Malaysian the yen is about 0.7% cheaper than three weeks ago, not dearer. Example: a Tokyo Disney 1-day ticket for a family of four in October–December costs ¥36,400 on a normal weekday and ¥40,900 on most Saturdays (official calendar; the maths), about RM938 and RM1,054 at this rate. (Corrected 2 Oct 2026: we first gave ¥28,800 for the cheapest day, a price not on sale for any date up to early January.)

Update 29 September 2026. The yen then rose against the ringgit too. Bank Negara's middle rate at 17:00 on Monday 28 September was RM2.6035 per ¥100, so ¥10,000 ≈ RM260.35 and RM1,000 ≈ ¥38,400: about 1.1% more than on Friday 25 September and about 0.3% more than on 7 September. The Tokyo Disney example above becomes about RM750 (cheapest day) and RM1,065 (dearest day). A 1% move is about RM26 on a ¥100,000 hotel bill.

What it means for you.

• Your October–December budget does not need a big change. Plan with ¥10,000 ≈ RM260 (28 Sept) and keep a margin of a few percent: the rate can move quickly if Japan steps into the market again.
• These are reference rates between banks. At a money changer or on your card you get fewer yen per ringgit (a spread and fees). Before you change a large amount, compare the rate on the board with Bank Negara's middle rate.
• We don't forecast exchange rates. If you book hotels now, pick rooms with free cancellation so you can rebook if prices or the rate move: Tokyo hotels for 2 adults + 2 kids on Trip.com (prices shown in RM; filter "free cancellation"). For the whole trip, see package vs DIY budget.

Affiliate links may be used; your price does not change. Sources: The Star, "Yen rises as Japan flags currency weakness" (Bloomberg), 28 September 2026 (English); Bank Negara Malaysia exchange rates (JPY, middle rate per ¥100), 25 September 2026 17:00 and 7 September 2026 12:00, via api.bnm.gov.my (English). Update: Bank Negara Malaysia exchange rates, 28 September 2026 17:00. Ringgit amounts are our own calculation. Checked 28 September 2026; updated 29 September 2026; short answer updated 7 November 2026 with the ECB reference rate.

Sources