Yen Remains Under Pressure

2026-07-14 02:12 By Jam Kaimo Samonte 1 min. read

The Japanese yen traded around 162.4 per dollar on Tuesday, holding onto losses from the previous session and hovering near its weakest level in four decades amid the absence of follow-up intervention by Japanese authorities.

On Monday, the currency weakened sharply after Reuters reported that Tokyo had no immediate plans to alter the asset allocation of its state pension funds, reducing expectations of near-term support for domestic assets.

However, Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said the country’s massive pension fund would adjust its holdings if necessary, while also proposing the inclusion of government bonds in a tax-free investment program for individual investors.

The yen also remained under pressure as the dollar strengthened and oil prices surged after President Donald Trump reinstated a blockade on Iranian vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz and sought reimbursement from countries benefiting from US efforts to secure the vital shipping lane.



News Stream
Yen Remains Under Pressure
The Japanese yen traded around 162.4 per dollar on Tuesday, holding onto losses from the previous session and hovering near its weakest level in four decades amid the absence of follow-up intervention by Japanese authorities. On Monday, the currency weakened sharply after Reuters reported that Tokyo had no immediate plans to alter the asset allocation of its state pension funds, reducing expectations of near-term support for domestic assets. However, Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said the country’s massive pension fund would adjust its holdings if necessary, while also proposing the inclusion of government bonds in a tax-free investment program for individual investors. The yen also remained under pressure as the dollar strengthened and oil prices surged after President Donald Trump reinstated a blockade on Iranian vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz and sought reimbursement from countries benefiting from US efforts to secure the vital shipping lane.
2026-07-14
Yen Weakens on Middle East Tensions
The Japanese yen weakened to around 162 per dollar on Monday, giving back the previous session’s gains as escalating tensions in the Middle East pressured the currency. The US and Iran exchanged fresh missile strikes over the weekend amid ongoing disputes over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, driving oil prices higher and reinforcing expectations of interest-rate hikes to curb inflation. Japan’s economy and currency remain particularly vulnerable to higher oil prices due to the country’s heavy reliance on crude imports from the Middle East. The yen also faced additional pressure from a stronger dollar, which continued to attract safe-haven demand amid the geopolitical crisis. Last Friday, the yen surged after Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said the government would encourage domestic pension funds to increase their allocations to Japanese financial assets.
2026-07-13
Yen Strengthens on Katayama Remarks
The Japanese yen strengthened toward 161 per dollar on Friday, nearly reversing all of its losses from earlier in the week after Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said the government would encourage domestic pension funds to increase their holdings of Japanese financial assets. Investors also awaited intervention data due later this month to determine whether Japanese authorities were behind the sharp but short-lived rallies in the yen seen in recent weeks. Meanwhile, traders digested data showing Japan’s producer prices rose 7.1% in June, the fastest annual increase since March 2023, reflecting persistent cost pressures from the Middle East conflict and the yen’s sharp depreciation. Oil prices also retreated after reports indicated that the US and Iran will continue peace negotiations despite a recent escalation in hostilities, providing additional support for the Japanese currency.
2026-07-10