The Japanese Yen strengthened against the US Dollar on Tuesday, fueled by safe-haven demand due to ongoing global trade tensions and increasingly expected Bank of Japan (BoJ) interest rate hike later in 2025. The USD/JPY pair tried to bounce off levels below 140, the bullish bias on the Yen intact as geopolitical uncertainty and differential monetary policy expectations between the BoJ and the Fed continue to place pressure on the Dollar. Market sentiment was further rattled by concerns over the Fed’s independence following fresh criticism from former President Donald Trump, keeping USD gains limited. Investors now await key US economic data and global PMI releases for clearer market direction.

KEY LOOKOUTS

• Growing market confidence that the Bank of Japan will raise interest rates again in 2025 is expected to keep the Japanese Yen supported in the near term.

• Uncertainty regarding the direction of Federal Reserve policy, stoked by political pressure and rate cut speculation in the markets, continues to influence the US Dollar.

• Investors are monitoring progress in the latest US-Japan tariff negotiations, particularly comments by influential officials and possible implications for currency flows.

• The Richmond Manufacturing Index and world flash PMIs should deliver new insights into economic well-being, driving near-term USD/JPY price action.

Japanese Yen remains in focus as investors weigh safe-haven demand against shifting central bank policies and global trade tensions. Despite a modest intraday pullback, the Yen’s strength is underpinned by rising expectations that the Bank of Japan will raise interest rates in 2025, marking a significant divergence from the Federal Reserve’s anticipated rate-cutting path. While this, in turn, is being affected by political uncertainty in the U.S. — fueled by renewed skepticism about the independence of the Fed and continuing trade negotiations — the recovery of the Dollar remains curbed. The market now expects major U.S. economic releases and world PMI reading, which should provide clearer guidance for the USD/JPY pair in upcoming sessions.

Japanese Yen remains strong as safe-haven demand and expectations of BoJ rate hikes provide support against a softer US Dollar. Uncertainty surrounding US-Japan trade talks and skepticism regarding the Fed’s policy framework remain weighing factors on sentiment. Investors now look to leading economic indicators for new direction on USD/JPY action.

• The Yen remains in demand with global trade tensions and geopolitical uncertainty capping its losses versus the US Dollar.

• Speculation in the markets for a Bank of Japan rate increase in 2025 is contributing to the bullishness in the Yen.

• The pair rebounded more than 40 pips from around the pivotal 140.00 psychological level but failed to maintain firmness amidst bearish sentiment in the USD.

• New political attacks on the Federal Reserve, such as threats against its autonomy, have maintained the Dollar on defensive levels close to multi-year lows.

•  Japanese and American official quotes underpin the subtlety in current tariff negotiations, holding back investors.

•  USD/JPY encounters strong resistance at 141.65-141.60 and has the vital support zones at 140.45 and 140.00.

•  Upcoming events such as Richmond Manufacturing Index and global flash PMIs are to determine USD/JPY’s next decisive movement.

Japanese Yen continues to find support in its safe-haven demand, with continuing global trade tensions and geopolitical risks holding investor sentiment in check. Market observers continue to be focused on the status of U.S.-Japan trade negotiations, especially after Japanese officials noted the intricacy involved in securing an agreement given touchy topics such as tariffs on autos and agriculture. As the talks proceed, the Yen will probably continue to be a favored destination for investors seeking stability amid uncertain times.

USD/JPY DAILY PRICE CHART

CHART SOURCE: TradingView

Substantiating the Yen’s support is also the increasing market perception that the Bank of Japan might hike interest rates in 2025, a significant reversal after years of extremely accommodative monetary policy. Conversely, the U.S. Dollar is under siege as political uncertainty regarding the independence of the Federal Reserve and conflicting economic signals create doubts about the direction of U.S. monetary policy. This policy difference between the United States and Japan remains to influence currency market dynamics and reflects the cautious sentiment among traders.

TECHNICAL ANALYSIS

USD/JPY pair indicates signs of stabilization following a bounce back from the sub-140.00 psychological level, which has now become a significant support point. The 140.45 area, where the pair had recently established a multi-month low, is likely to provide initial downside cushioning. But the general bearish tone is still in place as far as the pair remains below the 141.60–141.65 resistance area — an important horizontal level that had served as support. A break above this region on a sustained basis may initiate a short-covering rally, paving the way for additional advances to the 142.00 and 142.35 resistance areas. To its detriment, a break below 140.45 could leave the pair vulnerable to further losses, potentially testing the yearly swing low around the 139.60–139.55 area.

FORECAST

USD/JPY pair is able to stay above the 140.45 support level and accumulates sufficient bullish strength, it may try to retest the immediate resistance in the 141.60–141.65 area. A decisive break and sustained strength above this area can pave the way for a short-covering rally, driving the pair towards the psychological 142.00 mark. Additional bullish extension may drive the pair to test the next major hurdle around the 142.35–142.40 area, where sellers are likely to reappear.

Conversely, however, if the USD/JPY pair is unable to hold its ground above the 140.45 level, bear pressure may strengthen, pulling the pair back towards the important 140.00 psychological level. A clean break beneath this support level would most probably speed up the downside move, targeting the 2024 yearly swing low at the 139.60–139.55 region. A break below this level may warn of a deeper bear trend and possibly trigger further selling in the near term.