- USD/JPY is at fresh eight-month lows, 127.00 appears at risk.
- Japanese yen rallies on potential hawkish BoJ action, as yields policy stutters.
- US holiday-induced thin trading exaggerates moves in the USD/JPY pair.
USD/JPY is holding the latest downtick below 127.50, having renewed eight-month lows at 127.24. Bears remain in control at the start of the week on Monday, as the Japanese Yen extends its bullish momentum.
Hopes that the Bank of Japan (BoJ) could surprise markets with a hawkish pivot at its policy meeting this week are underpinning the sentiment around the Yen, especially after the Japanese central bank failed to defend its yield curve control (YCC) policy for the second day in a row. The 10-year JGB yield rose 1 basis point to 0.510%, topping the 0.5% ceiling of the BOJ's policy band.
“The BOJ bought roughly 10 trillion Yen ($78 billion) in JGBs over the past two days, with a 5 trillion Yen purchase on Friday topping the high it had just set Thursday and is preparing to purchase more Japanese government bonds on Monday,” FXStreet’s Analyst Ross Burland noted, citing the Nikkei Asian Review.
Meanwhile, the renewed sell-off in the USD/JPY pair is dragging the US Dollar broadly lower, with the US Dollar Index down 0.36% on the day at 101.84, at the press time. The US market is closed on Monday, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and therefore low liquidity is exaggerating the moves in the major.
The key event risk for the spot this week remains the BoJ monetary policy announcements and the US Retail Sales data. In a surprise move last month, the BoJ widened the band for the 10-year bond yield to 0.5% up and down from its 0% target.
USD/JPY: Technical levels to watch
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.
If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.
FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.
The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.
Recommended content
Editors’ Picks
AUD/USD holds steady above 0.6300, awaits fresh impetus
AUD/USD is holding steady above 0.6300 in the Asian session on Thursday. The pair draws support from a broadly subdued US Dollar even as markets remain wary of escalating trade war, assessing its implications on global economic prospects. US PPI inflation eyed for fresh impetus.
Gold price targets record highs amid cooling inflation, trade war
Gold price is building on the recent upswing early Thursday, looking to retest lifetime highs of $2,956. Gold buyers cheer a bullish technical setup as markets assess the implications of Trump-induced global trade war.
USD/JPY turns lower to near 148.00 amid divergent BoJ-Fed expectations
USD/JPY turns south to test 148.00 in Thursday's Asian session. A cautious risk tone and concerns over a global trade war keep the Japanese Yen underpinned, dragging the pair lower. The pair also faces headwinds from the divergent BoJ-Fed policy expectations.
PEPE price outperforming DOGE and SHIB as US CPI boosts Crypto markets
PEPE price crossed the $0.00007 for the first time this week as markets reacted to positive macro market signals. Early insights show crypto traders are displaying high risk appetite at the onset of the current market rally.
Brexit revisited: Why closer UK-EU ties won’t lessen Britain’s squeezed public finances
The UK government desperately needs higher economic growth as it grapples with spending cuts and potential tax rises later this year. A reset of UK-EU economic ties would help, and sweeping changes are becoming more likely.
The Best brokers to trade EUR/USD
SPONSORED Discover the top brokers for trading EUR/USD in 2025. Our list features brokers with competitive spreads, fast execution, and powerful platforms. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, find the right partner to navigate the dynamic Forex market.