Japan's retail gold price surged to a record 21,632 yen (about 142 U.S. dollars) per gram on Tuesday, reflecting a weaker yen and growing global uncertainties. The soaring price has fueled brisk trading, with long queues forming outside gold retailers as consumers rush to buy or sell. In Tokyo, citizens expressed strong interest in gold as both a safe haven and a store of value. A Tokyo gold shop employee said customer traffic has nearly doubled from last year, with both sales and recycling volumes up sharply. Many buyers are choosing bars and ingots rather than jewelry such as rings or necklaces. Analysts noted that the sharp fall of the yen has driven gold prices higher in yen terms. On Tuesday, the Japanese currency slid below 152 yen per dollar, its weakest level in eight months, amid market expectations that ruling Liberal Democratic Party's new leader Sanae Takaichi will adopt expansionary fiscal policies. At the same time, mounting concerns over the ongoing U.S. government shutdown and global geopolitical tensions have pushed investors toward gold as a safe-haven asset. Data showed Japan's retail gold price has risen about 40 percent since the beginning of the year, doubling compared with two years ago. Shotlist: Tokyo, Japan - Oct 8, 2025: 1. Facade of gold store; 2. Various of customers at gold jewelry store; 3. Customers waiting in line in front of gold store; 4. Facade of gold store, traffic; 5. Poster for gold bar; 6. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Resident (name not given) (starting with shots 4-5): "Gold holds value better than cash amid the inflation. Gold supply is limited, and under the current international situation, it feels better to own gold from a future perspective."; 7. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Resident (name not given): "I might consider buying if the price drops a little. But with gold at a record high, I think about selling the gold I have at home."; 8. Various of customers at gold jewelry store; 9. Gold bar; 10. Board showing gold price on Oct 8; 11. Sign reading (Japanese) Historical high gold price; 12. Gold bar; 13. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Gold store employee (name not given) (partially overlaid with shot 14): "Today, a customer has already ordered eight 25-gram bars, totaling 200 grams, for 4.3 million yen (about 28,200 U.S. dollars). Due to rising distrust in the U.S. dollar, people are selling dollars and coming to buy gold." [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]; Tokyo, Japan - Recent 14. Various of gold bar on display [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]; FILE: Japan - Exact Location and Date Unknown 15. Various of pedestrians; FILE: Tokyo, Japan - Aug 24, 2021 16. Various of traffic, pedestrians. [Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]