Asian Currencies Rise as Dollar Weakens Ahead of U.S. Payrolls Data; Aussie Hits Three-Year High 
Nikkei 225 Surges Past 58,000 as Japan Stocks Rally on Takaichi Stimulus Boost 
Oil Prices Steady but Head for Weekly Loss as Supply Glut Concerns Weigh 
U.S. Stock Futures Steady as Strong Jobs Data Clouds Fed Rate Cut Outlook 
U.S.–Taiwan Trade Agreement Sets 15% Tariff, Boosts Energy and Semiconductor Investment 
Asian Markets Slip as Tech Stocks Tumble Ahead of Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Oil Prices Hold Firm as U.S.–Iran Talks and Inventory Data Shape Market Sentiment 
Yen Surges After Takaichi Election Win as Markets Eye U.S. Inflation Data 
China CPI Growth Slows While Producer Deflation Eases in January 
RBA Signals Further Interest Rate Hikes if Inflation Persists, Says Governor Michele Bullock 
Fed Governor Stephen Miran Warns Tight Monetary Policy Threatens U.S. Economic Growth 
Gold and Silver Prices Slip After Strong U.S. Jobs Data, Fed Rate Cut Bets Fade 
Asian Stock Markets Rise as Australian Shares Rally; Investors Eye U.S. Jobs Data and China Inflation 
U.S. Inflation Cools in January as Gas Prices Fall, Core CPI Signals Sticky Price Pressures 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
The Japanese yen strengthened on Monday as investors reacted to political uncertainty following Japan’s ruling coalition losing its majority in the upper house. With financial markets in Japan closed for the day, the yen served as a key sentiment barometer, firming to 148.32 per dollar and edging up against the euro at 172.64.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) secured only 47 of the 50 seats needed to retain control of the 248-seat upper house, raising fears of policy paralysis. Ishiba’s position has been further weakened after also losing control of the more powerful lower house in October. Although the LDP could potentially strike a partnership with the Democratic Party for the People (DPP), the political uncertainty is weighing on markets.
The yen’s move comes ahead of an August 1 deadline for critical tariff negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump. Analysts warn that any resignation by Ishiba could prompt foreign investors to exit Japanese equities and the yen, increasing market volatility.
Japanese government bonds (JGBs) faced a sharp selloff last week, pushing 30-year yields to record highs and weakening the yen to multi-month lows. Meanwhile, the broader currency market saw the euro steady at $1.1632 and the pound at $1.1342, while the U.S. dollar index stood at 98.352.
Elsewhere, the New Zealand dollar dipped 0.18% to $0.5951 after Q2 inflation came in below expectations, prompting speculation of a rate cut next month. Bitcoin slipped 1% to $116,939, staying below its all-time high of $123,153 reached last week.
Global investors remain focused on Trump’s escalating tariff threats, especially toward the European Union, which could further unsettle financial markets.
