Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Monday there are both positive and negative factors to a weak yen, stressing that he will closely monitor the effects on the economy.

"I won't comment on specific exchange-rate levels. But in general, a weak yen hurts some companies by pushing up import costs. On the other hand, it's positive for exporters and companies doing business overseas," Abe told a parliament committee meeting, when asked how excessive yen declines could affectJapan's economy.