empty
26.06.2025 12:41 AM
Yen Is Back in the Game

The yen failed the test as a safe-haven currency. The Israel–Iran conflict triggered a correction in USD/JPY toward a downtrend. For most of the year, investors had the impression that the Japanese currency had stripped the U.S. dollar of its status as the primary safe-haven asset on Forex. However, once Donald Trump announced a ceasefire, the bears on this pair regained their footing.

The pullback in USD/JPY was driven by the economic characteristics of the two countries. While the United States is a net exporter of energy commodities, Japan is an oil importer. A Brent crude rally slows Japan's economic growth and weighs on its currency. Fortunately, the ceasefire between Israel and Iran returned Brent to its previous levels. As a result, the yen could return to its time-tested strength — monetary policy divergence.

Dynamics of Japanese Inflation

This image is no longer relevant

At its June meeting, the Bank of Japan deemed it appropriate to keep the overnight interest rate at 0.5% despite elevated inflation levels. The primary argument was a slowdown in economic activity due to uncertainty stemming from U.S. tariffs. If the situation becomes clearer, the BoJ would be ready to tighten its monetary policy, especially since consumer prices in May accelerated to a new two-year high of 3.7%. Following this, Board Member Naoki Tamura called for a swift increase in borrowing costs.

Judging by Jerome Powell's address to Congress, the Federal Reserve has options. If inflation accelerates due to tariffs while the U.S. economy remains strong, the federal funds rate will stay at its current 4.5% level for an extended period. Conversely, a continuation of the disinflationary trend alongside a cooling labor market could prompt monetary easing as early as July. This divergence in central bank stances underpins the downtrend in USD/JPY.

Correlation of Funding Currencies with Risk

This image is no longer relevant

This image is no longer relevant

While investors still question whether the yen has overtaken the U.S. dollar as the primary safe-haven asset, the greenback is taking on a different role — the main funding currency. Its sensitivity to risk has declined compared to rivals like the yen and the euro. Meanwhile, the return on carry trades involving emerging market currencies — such as the Indian and Indonesian rupiah, the Turkish lira, the South African rand, and the Brazilian real — has jumped to 8% in 2025. For comparison, losses from euro-based carry trades were 2.2%, and returns from using the yen were only 2.6%.

From a technical standpoint, on the daily USD/JPY chart, a rebound from the fair value level of 144.9 highlights the strength of the bulls. For the correction to gain traction, they must break through resistance at 146.15. This would open the way for long positions. On the contrary, a drop below 144.9 would be a signal to sell.

Marek Petkovich,
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

EUR/USD. What Do the June Nonfarm Payrolls Tell Us?

The U.S. labor market report published on Thursday turned out to be quite contradictory, although the market interpreted it in favor of the American currency. Looking ahead, it is worth

Irina Manzenko 00:48 2025-07-04 UTC+2

USD/JPY. Analysis and Forecast

The USD/JPY pair remains under pressure despite the U.S. dollar posting moderate gains for a second consecutive day, approaching the 144.00 level. Improved global risk sentiment following the trade agreement

Irina Yanina 15:01 2025-07-03 UTC+2

XAU/USD. Analysis and Forecast

Gold prices are struggling to gain momentum after a moderate intraday rebound from the $3340 level. Traders remain cautious, preferring to await the release of the U.S. Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP)

Irina Yanina 12:21 2025-07-03 UTC+2

EUR/JPY. Analysis and Forecast

consecutive day, once again approaching the yearly high reached earlier this week.The trade agreement between the United States and Vietnam has eased concerns over a prolonged trade conflict, increasing investor

Irina Yanina 12:13 2025-07-03 UTC+2

Good News Will Support Stock Markets and Token Demand (Potential Upside for Bitcoin and #NDX)

The market has ignored extremely weak employment data from ADP, focusing its attention on other factors. The ADP report released on Wednesday showed a significant slowdown in the U.S. private

Pati Gani 10:40 2025-07-03 UTC+2

Trump Targets China Through Vietnam

Yesterday, it was revealed that President Donald Trump had reached a trade agreement with Vietnam. This came after several weeks of intense diplomatic negotiations between the two countries and just

Jakub Novak 10:00 2025-07-03 UTC+2

A Wake-Up Call for the U.S. Economy

Yesterday's U.S. employment data served as a wake-up call for the American economy. According to the report, the number of employed persons declined in June for the first time

Jakub Novak 09:55 2025-07-03 UTC+2

The Market Bets on Profits

The market remains confident in a positive future. It hears only what it wants to hear. Negative news is ignored, allowing the S&P 500 to set new records. It doesn't

Marek Petkovich 09:35 2025-07-03 UTC+2

What to Pay Attention to on July 3? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

A significant number of macroeconomic reports are scheduled for release on Thursday, including some key reports. As a reminder, U.S. labor market and unemployment data are typically released on Friday

Paolo Greco 06:53 2025-07-03 UTC+2

GBP/USD Overview – July 3: Jerome Powell Finally Responded to Trump

The GBP/USD currency pair plummeted on Wednesday like a stone. However, every drop in the pair eventually gives way to a much stronger rise. Therefore, at this point, there's

Paolo Greco 03:45 2025-07-03 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.