re: The negative side effects of a stronger/increasing currency

Yes, you are on the right track. Heres an oversimplification...

Imagine that you are the producer of a product(i.e. cameras for Nikon/Canon). If your local currency(the Yen) becomes more powerful(it takes more dollars to purchase each Yen) then the cost to the importer in their own currency has gone up.

The importer; lets say Best Buy in the US now sees an increase in their spending per unit they buy from you. Best Buy can then continue to buy from you or find a competitive product elsewhere. In many cases a countries currency getting stronger can actually be the death nell to its own exports. This is why many bash China for intentionally devaluing their currency. By doing so they are actually making their exports more competitive and desirable.

Another example closer to home is Canada. The timber and mineral market in Canada is huge. Canada prefers to have their currency weaker (relatively speaking) than the US Dollar because it makes importing from Canada a good proposition for American companies. During times when the Canadian dollar creeps closer to the American dollar the Canadian economy comes to a standstill.