Weak yen attracts Chinese online shoppers

An increasing number of Chinese Internet users are turning their attention toward Japanese shopping websites as a weakening yen has made goods cheaper for overseas buyers.

The Japanese currency at one point touched 15.19 yen (17 US cents) per yuan on Feb 24, its lowest in more than four years after registering a closing price of 16.27 yen per yuan on Aug 18, 2008, amid concerns that it has been weakening its exchange rate to fuel growth through exports, according to currency information website Xe.com.

Tao Meikun, a reporter in Beijing, tried his luck the first time on a Japanese e-commerce website earlier this month to take advantage of the lower exchange rate.