Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Fed Confirms Rate Meeting Schedule Despite Severe Winter Storm in Washington D.C. 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
ECB’s Cipollone Backs Digital Euro as Europe Pushes for Payment System Independence 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
According to recent data from Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, December's bonus payments declined 0.4% below that of 2014, shattering the Japanese central bankers' hopes of re-inflation. Further the summer bonus payment failed to impress, while regular salaries did not increased over the previous years.
The recent BoJ's monetary policy effect has faded away from the FX market. While the central bank has a number of measures at its disposal to tackle the situation including QE and rate policy among others, markets now clearly see the exchange rate as the only monetary policy measure left with the central bank. The BoJ will have no other option other than devaluating the yen.
