"The European issue is in its final stage. Focus is on whether (Europe) can construct a scheme that could offer a sense of relief to the world," Azumi told reporters. "We want them to firmly get that done." European Union leaders and IMF chief Christine Lagarde held a first summit on Sunday aimed at overcoming a crisis that has threatened to pitch the world into a fresh recession. They will meet again for the second summit on Wednesday. Japan's export-dependent economy has suffered from the uncertainty plaguing Europe as sovereign debt levels have spiralled. Investors' desire to seek shelter from the storm has helped drive the safe-haven yen higher over recent months. A high yen punishes exporters by making their goods more expensive and dragging on repatriated profits. Japan's government has repeatedly protested about the strength of the unit and has intervened in a bid to drive it down, but has failed to have any long-term impact. The Japanese unit hit a fresh record high of 75.78 to the dollar during New York trade Friday. The yen was trading at 76.15 to the greenback early Tuesday after Azumi reiterated a warning that he could take "decisive steps" to tame the currency's strength.