Yen Slides Toward 40-Year Low

The Japanese yen weakened past 159 per dollar, retracing about half of the gains from its recent intervention-driven rally and testing the resolve of both Tokyo and Washington to support the currency, though traders remain on alert for fresh intervention. Japan and the US carried out a record coordinated yen-buying operation at the end of July as the currency fell to 40-year lows and raised concerns about global economic stability, but disappointed markets by not following up with additional measures. The yen remained under pressure from longer-term fundamentals, including wide interest rate differentials, mounting fiscal concerns and elevated energy and import costs. Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan highlighted growing risks of accelerating inflation in its summary of opinions from the July meeting, with one board member suggesting that the pace of interest rate hikes could accelerate.

The Japanese yen weakened past 158 per dollar on Monday, reversing gains from the previous session as a recent joint intervention by Tokyo and Washington failed to sustain the rally amid persistent structural pressure on the currency. The yen remained weighed down by wide interest rate differentials, mounting fiscal concerns and elevated energy and import costs. Latest data also showed Japan’s current account surplus narrowed in June, as strong exports of AI-related electronics were offset by higher imports driven by increased crude oil purchases. Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan highlighted growing risks of accelerating inflation in its summary of opinions from the July meeting, with one board member suggesting the pace of interest rate hikes could quicken. On Friday, the yen strengthened sharply against the dollar after weaker-than-expected US jobs data prompted traders to reduce expectations for a near-term Federal Reserve interest rate hike.

The Japanese yen weakened past 158 per dollar on Friday, surrendering part of the gains sparked by the joint currency intervention by Tokyo and Washington, fueling speculation that authorities may step in again to support the currency. The retreat underscored doubts over the effectiveness of intervention in reversing the yen’s longer-term weakness, which continues to be driven by wide interest rate differentials, growing fiscal concerns, and persistently high energy and import costs. The yen also faced additional pressure from a stronger dollar and rebounding oil prices following renewed tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, data showed Japan’s household spending fell 3.3% in June, defying expectations for a 1% increase and highlighting continued softness in consumer demand. On the monetary policy front, investors are watching for a possible Bank of Japan interest rate hike in September after the central bank left policy settings unchanged last week.