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The Japanese yen slipped on Friday after a sharp surge in the previous session, which was widely attributed to suspected currency market intervention by Tokyo. Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar stabilized following notable losses in April, as global investors monitored geopolitical tensions and central bank signals.
The USD/JPY pair climbed about 0.4%, reversing a more than 2% drop seen earlier this week when Japan likely stepped in to support its currency after it breached the critical 160 level. Historically, this threshold has triggered intervention, highlighting Japan’s ongoing efforts to curb excessive yen weakness.
Despite the Bank of Japan adopting a more hawkish tone and signaling potential interest rate hikes, the yen faced renewed pressure due to softer-than-expected Tokyo consumer price index (CPI) data for April. The inflation miss suggested that government subsidies on utilities and food continue to dampen price growth, raising concerns about the sustainability of inflation in Japan.
Across Asia, currency markets remained relatively muted, with limited trading activity due to regional holidays. However, broader sentiment stayed cautious as the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict showed little progress toward resolution. Reduced shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz and continued U.S. naval presence have intensified uncertainty, supporting safe-haven demand.
The U.S. dollar index edged higher in Asian trading, recovering slightly after nearly a 2% decline in April. Expectations that the Federal Reserve may hold off on rate cuts—especially amid inflation risks tied to geopolitical instability—have provided support to the greenback. Comments from policymakers this week suggested growing resistance to easing monetary policy.
Other Asian currencies showed mixed performance. The Australian dollar weakened slightly, reflecting cautious risk sentiment. The South Korean won remained stable, supported by strong export data driven by demand in the semiconductor and AI sectors. Meanwhile, the Chinese yuan and Indian rupee traded in narrow ranges, with the rupee hovering near record lows.
Overall, forex markets remain highly sensitive to geopolitical developments, central bank policies, and inflation trends, making volatility likely in the near term.
