Asia-Pacific markets were largely set to extend gains on Tuesday, tracking Wall Street moves, with investors awaiting China manufacturing purchasing managers’ index for April. Japan’s top currency diplomat Masato Kanda reportedly declined to comment on whether the finance ministry had intervened to prop up yen after it fell to a record low on Monday. The currency weakened to its lowest level against the U.S. dollar yesterday at 160.03, before strengthening sharply to trade around the 155 level. The Wall Street Journal, meanwhile, reported that Japan had intervened to support the yen by selling U.S. dollars and buying ... (full story)