TOKYO, April 30 Reuters Japan39;s top currency diplomat Masato Kanda said on Tuesday authorities were ready to deal with foreign exchange matters around the clock but declined to comment on whether the finance ministry had intervened to prop up the yen a day earlier.

We are ready 24 hours, so whether it39;s London, New York or Wellington, it doesn39;t make a difference, the vice finance minister for international affairs told reporters.

His comments come a day after Japan39;s currency surged as much as five yen against the dollar in what traders cited as intervention. Japan39;s markets were closed Monday for a public holiday.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters later on Tuesday the government had said it would not comment on foreign exchange moves and interventions, when asked whether authorities intervened in the currency market on Monday.

The dollar was last at 156.70 in Asia on Tuesday.

The Wall Street Journal reported Japanese financial authorities had intervened in the market, citing people familiar with the matter.

Kanda on Monday declined to comment when asked about intervention but said current developments in the currency market were speculative, rapid and abnormal and could not be overlooked.

Asked again on Tuesday about intervention, Kanda also declined comment but said excessive foreign exchange moves triggered by speculators would negatively impact the daily lives of people.

Higher prices of import goods are said to be affecting most…