Japanese Economics Minister Satoshi Arai said on Tuesday the yen's rise is not favourable for Japan's economic recovery.

But Arai, speaking to reporters after a cabinet meeting, also said he does not expect the yen, now near a 15-year high versus the dollar JPY=, to remain on an uptrend for a long time.

He also said the government's relations with the Bank of Japan are at their best ever. The central bank is holding a monetary policy meeting that will end later on Tuesday. (Reporting by Rie Ishiguro; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)

Japan