Japanese Yen remains tepid following BoJ Summary of Opinions

• The Japanese Yen experienced downward pressure after the dovish remarks from BoJ Deputy Governor Uchida.
• BoJ Summary of Opinions emphasizes targeting a neutral rate of "at least around 1%" as a medium-term goal.
• Traders expect a deeper rate cut by the US Federal Reserve in September.

The Japanese Yen (JPY) extends its losses against the US Dollar (USD) on Thursday, following a retracement of its intraday gains. This downside may be linked to comments from Bank of Japan (BoJ) Deputy Governor Shinichi Uchida, who said on Wednesday, “We won’t raise rates when markets are unstable,” according to Reuters.

The Bank of Japan’s Summary of Opinions from the Monetary Policy Meeting on July 30 and 31 showed that several members believe economic activity and prices are progressing as anticipated by the BoJ. The members are targeting a neutral rate of "at least around 1%" as a medium-term goal.

BoJ’s Summary of Opinions: Members see prices and growth developing in line with outlook, read more.

The downside for the safe-haven Yen could be restrained due to the increased risk-off mood amid rising tensions in the Middle East. According to two US intelligence officials, Iran and its allies are preparing for possible retaliation against Israel following the recent killings of a top military commander of Iran’s Hezbollah in Lebanon and a senior Hamas leader in Tehran, as reported by CNN.

The US Dollar (USD) faces challenges as traders expect a deeper rate cut by the US Federal Reserve (Fed) in September. According to the CME FedWatch tool, there is now a 72.0% probability of a 50-basis point (bps) interest rate cut by the Fed in September, up from 11.8% a week earlier.

Daily Digest Market Movers: Japanese Yen receives pressure after remarks from BoJ’s Uchida

• Japan’s Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki stated on Thursday that he is “closely watching volatile stock movements but is not in the phase of taking actual action.” Suzuki noted that decisions regarding monetary policy are the responsibility of the Bank of Japan and emphasized that they are monitoring market developments closely, according to Reuters.
• Japan’s Current Account surplus decreased to ¥1,533.5 billion ($10.47 billion) year-on-year in June, from ¥2,849.9 billion prior. This was below market expectations of a surplus of ¥1,790 billion.
• On Wednesday, BoJ Deputy Governor Shinichi Uchida also noted that BoJ's interest rate strategy will adapt if market volatility alters economic forecasts, risk assessments, or projections. Given recent market volatility, he emphasized the need for careful monitoring of the economic and price impacts of their policies, stating, “We must maintain the current degree of monetary easing for the time being.”
• Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi stated on Tuesday that “wage increases are expected to extend to part-timers and small businesses by autumn, supported by strong Shunto results and minimum wage hikes.”
• Japan’s Labor Cash Earnings data showed a 4.5% year-on-year increase in average income for June, surpassing both the previous 2.0% and the expected 2.3% readings. This is the highest increase since January 1997, reinforcing Japan's transition toward a rising interest rate environment.
• According to Reuters, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco President Mary Daly expressed increased confidence on Monday that US inflation is moving towards the Fed's 2% target. Daly noted that “risks to the Fed's mandates are becoming more balanced and that there is openness to the possibility of cutting rates in upcoming meetings,” according to Reuters.
• The minutes from the Bank of Japan's June meeting showed that some members expressed concerns about rising import prices due to the recent decline in the JPY, which could pose an upside risk to inflation. One member noted that cost-push inflation might intensify underlying inflation if it results in higher inflation expectations and wage increases.

Technical Analysis: USD/JPY consolidates around 146.50

USD/JPY trades around 146.50 on Thursday. The daily chart analysis shows that the pair consolidates within a descending channel, suggesting a bearish bias. Additionally, the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) is remaining below 30, signaling a short-term rebound.

Regarding support, the USD/JPY pair may test the lower boundary of the descending channel around a throwback support at the 140.25 level, which was recorded in December.

In terms of resistance, the USD/JPY pair tests the upper boundary of the descending channel, aligned with the nine-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) around the 148.15 level. A breakout above this level could reduce bearish momentum and enable the pair to test the "throwback support turned resistance" at 154.50.

USD/JPY: Daily Chart