DBS Group Research’s Philip Wee highlights that USD/JPY is again trading near 160, keeping markets wary of potential Japanese authorities’ intervention and a possible 25 bps rate hike by the Bank of Japan (BoJ) to 1% at its June meeting.

Governor Ueda’s recent rhetoric on the weak Japanese Yen (JPY) and low real rates supports gradual policy normalization over the coming weeks.

Yen under pressure as BoJ eyes hike

"USD/JPY is near 160 again, keeping markets alert for more currency interventions and a 25-bps hike to 1% by the Bank of Japan at its June 16 meeting."

"BoJ Governor Kazuo Ueda’s keynote address on June 3 will provide the final policy cues before the rate announcement."

"Ueda has become more vocal about the JPY’s depreciation driving up import costs, stressing that real interest rates remained historically low, two factors supporting more rate normalization."

(This article was created with the help of an Artificial Intelligence tool and reviewed by an editor.)