empty
18.03.2025 07:21 PM
USD/JPY. Analysis and Forecast

This image is no longer relevant

Today, the Japanese yen continues to decline intraday, pushing USD/JPY close to the key psychological level of 150.00, with the pair setting a new two-day high around 149.87.

Global market sentiment remains optimistic, supported by China's stimulus measures and hopes for a peace agreement in Ukraine, reducing demand for safe-haven assets like the yen.

Ahead of the Ukraine peace talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump's optimism about a possible ceasefire and agreement is lifting market sentiment. This, combined with China's plan to stimulate domestic consumption, announced over the weekend, is creating a favorable investment climate.

Markets are actively pricing in the possibility that the Bank of Japan (BoJ) will continue raising interest rates this year. The positive outcomes of Japan's spring wage negotiations (Shunto), along with concerns over Trump's trade tariffs, may limit further losses for the yen.

Japan's Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato, in his latest press conference, stated that bond markets should determine yield movements, signaling a more market-driven approach to policy regulation. This statement comes amid a recent surge in 40-year Japanese government bond yields to record highs.

Regarding Japan's spring labor talks, results indicate that companies are willing to significantly raise wages, potentially stimulating consumer spending and inflation growth. This, in turn, could allow the BoJ to continue its rate hikes, which would support the yen in the long term.

Additionally, expectations of further Federal Reserve policy easing, including the possibility of a 25-basis-point rate cut, are growing. These expectations stem from concerns about a U.S. economic slowdown, driven by tariffs, a cooling labor market, and lower inflation. Such expectations could limit the U.S. dollar's recovery, which has already hit its lowest level since October 2024. As a result, further USD/JPY upside may be limited.

Technical Outlook

From a technical perspective, a break above the 100-period simple moving average (SMA) on the 4-hour chart, which occurred during the Asian session, and a sustained move above 149.00 serve as key bullish signals. Oscillators on the 4-hour chart are displaying positive momentum, supporting the potential for additional gains, though they are approaching overbought territory. A return to the psychological level of 150.00 appears likely, but further upside could face strong resistance near 150.75–150.80, where the 200-period SMA is located.

On the other hand, support levels at 149.20, 149.00, and 148.80—coinciding with the 200-period SMA on the 4-hour chart—are now key areas preventing an immediate drop. A convincing break below these levels would indicate that the recent bullish momentum has faded, potentially dragging USD/JPY down to support at 148.20, followed by 148.00. A deeper pullback could extend toward 147.40 and 147.00, before testing the multi-month low at 146.50, last reached on March 11.

Irina Yanina,
Analytical expert of InstaForex
© 2007-2025
Select timeframe
5
min
15
min
30
min
1
hour
4
hours
1
day
1
week
Earn on cryptocurrency rate changes with InstaForex
Download MetaTrader 4 and open your first trade
  • Grand Choice
    Contest by
    InstaForex
    InstaForex always strives to help you
    fulfill your biggest dreams.
    JOIN CONTEST

Recommended Stories

USD/CAD. Analysis and Forecast

The USD/CAD pair is showing signs of recovery for the second consecutive day after a recent decline, rebounding from a two-week low around 1.4260. Spot prices have climbed above

Irina Yanina 10:16 2025-03-19 UTC+2

XAU/USD. Analysis and Forecast

Gold has halted its upward movement as it attempts to consolidate at new all-time highs around $3,045, with bulls taking a pause ahead of the FOMC meeting results. The Federal

Irina Yanina 09:41 2025-03-19 UTC+2

How Might Markets React After the Fed Meeting? (Expecting a Sharp Decline in GBP/USD and a Drop in #SPX)

Today, the market will focus on the Federal Reserve's final decision on monetary policy. It is expected to bring nothing new, so the main topic will remain the same

Pati Gani 08:27 2025-03-19 UTC+2

What to Pay Attention to on March 19? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

There are few macroeconomic events scheduled for Wednesday, which suggests that volatility for both currency pairs may remain low until the evening. The dollar continues to show signs of weakness

Paolo Greco 06:44 2025-03-19 UTC+2

GBP/USD Pair Overview – March 19: The Inertial Growth Continues

On Tuesday, the GBP/USD currency pair did not attempt to correct once again. There was no macroeconomic background that day, but it is difficult to determine what is currently better

Paolo Greco 02:34 2025-03-19 UTC+2

EUR/USD Pair Overview – March 19: What Will the Fed Meeting Change?

The EUR/USD currency pair continued to trade upward on Tuesday. Although the upward movement is weakening, the euro remains strong while the US dollar keeps falling. This is happening despite

Paolo Greco 02:34 2025-03-19 UTC+2

The Euro Fires a Bazooka

The last time Germany armed itself was in the 1930s, it led to World War II. Today, German militarization is welcomed. According to Bloomberg estimates, fiscal stimulus packages worth around

Marek Petkovich 23:46 2025-03-18 UTC+2

WTI Gains Support from Rising Geopolitical Tensions in the Middle East

For the third consecutive day, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil is attracting buyers. Currently, the commodity is trading slightly above the key psychological level of $68.00, having gained over

Irina Yanina 18:24 2025-03-18 UTC+2

Market catches fish in muddy water

Chaos in the White House's economic policy has pushed the S&P 500 to the brink. The broad stock index briefly entered correction territory before rebounding with two consecutive days

Marek Petkovich 11:18 2025-03-18 UTC+2
Can't speak right now?
Ask your question in the chat.
Widget callback
 

Dear visitor,

Your IP address shows that you are currently located in the USA. If you are a resident of the United States, you are prohibited from using the services of InstaFintech Group including online trading, online transfers, deposit/withdrawal of funds, etc.

If you think you are seeing this message by mistake and your location is not the US, kindly proceed to the website. Otherwise, you must leave the website in order to comply with government restrictions.

Why does your IP address show your location as the USA?

  • - you are using a VPN provided by a hosting company based in the United States;
  • - your IP does not have proper WHOIS records;
  • - an error occurred in the WHOIS geolocation database.

Please confirm whether you are a US resident or not by clicking the relevant button below. If you choose the wrong option, being a US resident, you will not be able to open an account with InstaForex anyway.

We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by this message.