TOKYO, Nov. 8 (Xinhuanet) -- Japan's foreign exchange reserves in October moved to a record 837.88 billion US dollars, keeping it the world's largest foreign exchange reserves holder for the 59th consecutive month, the Finance Ministry said Monday.

    In October, the foreign exchange reserves grew 6.89 billion dollars from the previous month, increasing for the sixth month ina row.

    Despite a halt of dollar-buying market intervention, higher investment returns and valuation gains on holdings of foreign bonds helped to push up the reserves, according to the ministry.

    The ministry said the appreciation of the euro against the dollar also played a role in lifting values of euro-denominated assets held by the Japanese government.

    A strong yen hurts the export-oriented economy of Japan. By March when the 15-month intervention ended, the Japanese government had spent around 35 trillion yen (333 billion dollars) to stem its appreciation.

    Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki suggested Friday Japan wouldconsider resuming the intervention if the ongoing dollar's declinecontinues.

    The country's foreign exchange reserves consist of securities and deposits denominated in foreign currencies plus IMF reserve positions, IMF special drawing rights and gold. Enditem