Seven & I Holdings Co. vs US Dollar/Japanese Yen FX Spot Rate: why the prices moved differently

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  Massive buyback and outside investment boost per-share value Seven & i announced a buyback of up to 8.19% of its shares for ¥400bn, and later raised ¥300bn from SoftBank, PayPay and Sumitomo Mitsui Card. Both moves put more cash behind store reforms and shrink the share count, which tends to lift the stock price.

  These are the biggest capital actions of the period and directly affect how much each share is worth.

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  New services and products aim to pull in more shoppers 7-Eleven launched a fuel price-lock feature, self-shipping machines for flea-market items, and a 28-item apparel line with Adastria. These are designed to bring younger customers and more store visits, which could raise sales per store over time.

  These are the main growth initiatives that could reverse weak customer traffic and support future earnings.

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  Core convenience store profit falls and US sales slip Interim net profit rose 2.2% to ¥124.4bn, but domestic convenience store operating profit dropped 9.8% and US same-store merchandise sales were slightly below last year. The main business is still under pressure, which weighs on the stock.

  This is the latest hard financial result and shows the core business is not yet fixed.

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  Failed Poland investment and franchisee resale warning Seven & i scrapped a planned investment in Poland's Żabka chain after failing to agree on terms, and warned franchisees over unauthorized resale of character goods. Both hurt confidence in management and brand trust, though the financial impact is limited.

  These are the main setbacks of the period and explain why the stock faces some caution.

Based on 9 stories →

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  ¥300bn SoftBank/PayPay capital injection completed Seven & i raised about 300 billion yen by selling treasury shares to SoftBank, PayPay and Sumitomo Mitsui Card, each paying 100 billion yen. The cash strengthens its balance sheet and funds a partnership linking 7-Eleven's 22,000 stores with PayPay's payment app and customer data.

  This is the period's biggest new event and directly lifts the stock via fresh capital and growth prospects.

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  PayPay alliance to merge payments with store shopping PayPay formalised a capital and business alliance with Seven & i, SoftBank and LY, aiming to combine PayPay's roughly 75 million users with 7-Eleven's stores and data for personalised offers and digital finance. More engaged customers could mean higher store sales over time.

  It shows the concrete commercial payoff of the capital tie-up, a new growth driver for the stock.

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  Kumamoto earthquake forces about 80 store closures A magnitude-7 earthquake in Kumamoto shut roughly 80 Seven-Eleven stores, with over 100 convenience stores closed across operators due to power cuts and damaged roads. Lost sales and repair costs are a near-term drag, though the hit is regional, not company-wide.

  It is a fresh, material operational setback that weighs on earnings this period.

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  Seven-Eleven warns franchisees over resold copyrighted goods Seven-Eleven issued a nationwide warning to franchise buyers after finding unauthorised resale of copyrighted anime and game goods. The issue is small financially but adds regulatory and reputational risk, a modest counterweight to the positive capital and partnership news.

  It is the period's only other new company-specific negative and balances the otherwise positive picture.

Based on 7 stories →

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  Profit forecast raised on strong Q1 Seven & i lifted its full-year net profit forecast to 278 billion yen, beating analyst estimates, after first-quarter operating income jumped 122%. Stronger gasoline revenue overseas and a weaker yen helped. Higher expected earnings make the stock more attractive to investors.

  This is the core earnings news that directly lifts the stock's fundamental value.

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  SoftBank and PayPay in talks for multi-trillion yen investment SoftBank and PayPay are considering investing several trillion yen in Seven & i, possibly via new shares. This could bring payment technology, mobile customers, and cost savings, but may dilute existing shareholders. The market sees growth potential, though terms are still fluid.

  A potential major capital injection and partnership is a key new force behind the stock's move.

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  Seven & i eyes stake in Poland's Zabka Seven & i is negotiating a double-digit stake in Poland's largest convenience chain, Zabka, for several hundred billion yen. This would speed European expansion and help offset US weakness. The stock rose 2.2% on the news, ending a seven-day losing streak.

  This is a new expansion move that directly boosted the share price this period.

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  US gas prices and AI pricing lawsuit pressure convenience stores High US gas prices are making drivers cut back on impulse snacks at stores like 7-Eleven, hurting a key profit source. Separately, 7-Eleven was sued in California for allegedly using AI to fix gas prices. Both trends could reduce sales and add legal costs.

  These are real counterweights that could drag on earnings and investor sentiment.

Based on 7 stories →

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  BOJ signals faster rate hikes ahead BOJ minutes, Governor Ueda and former board members all point to quicker increases, with the policy rate possibly reaching 1.75%-2%. Higher Japanese rates make yen assets more attractive, pulling money into the yen and pushing USDJPY down.

  This is the dominant new force this period: the BOJ's tightening path directly strengthens the yen.

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  Tokyo inflation jumps, supporting more BOJ hikes Tokyo core inflation rose to 2.7% in September, above forecasts, with the underlying gauge at 3%. This strengthens the case for the BOJ to raise rates again soon, which supports the yen and pushes USDJPY down.

  Hotter inflation is the key new data point that justifies faster BOJ tightening and yen strength.

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  US yields surge on strong data and Fed hike bets US 10-year yields topped 5.2% and 30-year hit 5.57% as strong PMI data and Fed officials backed more hikes, with October odds at 70%. Higher US rates pull money into the dollar, pushing USDJPY up.

  This is the main counterweight keeping USDJPY elevated despite yen-supportive BOJ policy.

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  Japan-US officials warn against yen weakness Trump and PM Takaichi flagged the yen's weakness at their summit, and Japan's currency official said signals were clear. The threat of intervention or policy action strengthens the yen and pushes USDJPY down.

  Official pressure adds a political layer that can trigger yen-buying and caps USDJPY upside.

Based on 24 stories →

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  BOJ signals more rate hikes ahead BOJ Deputy Governor Himino, board members Takata and Masu, and meeting minutes all pointed to further rate hikes, with Tokyo inflation accelerating and wages rising the most in nearly 30 years. Higher Japanese rates make yen assets more attractive, strengthening the yen and pushing USDJPY down.

  This is the core force behind the yen's surge this period, repeatedly confirmed by BOJ officials and data.

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  Speculators flip to net long yen, carry trades unwind For the first time since February, speculators turned net long on the yen, and the yen rallied over 7 yen in a week to a 7-month high near 152.89. Investors rushing to close carry trades (borrowing cheap yen to buy higher-yielding assets) bought back yen, pushing USDJPY down.

  This shows a major shift in market positioning that amplifies the yen's rise.

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  Japan and US officials keep up intervention pressure Finance Minister Katayama said Japan won't hesitate to coordinate intervention with the US, and Treasury Secretary Bessent told Congress the joint yen-buying was beneficial. The threat of more official yen buying strengthens the yen and pushes USDJPY down.

  Official intervention and warnings are a direct force supporting the yen.

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  US yields surge on Fed hike expectations Japan's 10-year yield hit 3.115%, a 30-year high, but US 10-year and 30-year yields jumped even more, to 5.225% and 5.502%, as markets priced a 69% chance of another Fed hike in October. Higher US rates pull money into the dollar, pushing USDJPY up.

  This is the main counterweight that could limit the yen's rise.

Based on 24 stories →

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  Fed hikes rates for first time in over three years The Federal Reserve raised its policy rate to 3.75–4.00%, its first hike since 2023, and most officials expect another increase this year. Higher US rates make dollar assets more attractive, pulling money into the dollar and pushing USDJPY up.

  This is the main new force supporting the dollar and lifting USDJPY this period.

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  BOJ raises rate to 1.25%, highest since 1995 The Bank of Japan lifted its policy rate to 1.25%, the highest in about 31 years, and signaled more hikes ahead. Higher Japanese rates make yen assets more attractive, strengthening the yen and pushing USDJPY down.

  This is the main new force supporting the yen and weighing on USDJPY this period.

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  Yen weakens past 157 despite BOJ hike The BOJ hike was fully expected, two board members opposed it, and Japan's core inflation cooled to 1.7% in August. Traders judged the BOJ will tighten more slowly than the Fed, so the yen fell past 157 per dollar, lifting USDJPY.

  It explains why USDJPY rose even as the BOJ raised rates, a key new market reaction.

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  Japan signals possible yen-buying intervention Japan's Nikkei reported the BOJ conducted a rate check, a step before currency intervention, and the yen jumped into the 156 range. Direct yen buying strengthens the yen and pushes USDJPY down, though past interventions faded.

  It is a real counterweight that can push USDJPY down and is new this period.

Based on 11 stories →

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  BOJ rate hike to 1.25% confirmed for Sept 17-18 The Bank of Japan has decided to raise its policy rate to 1.25%, the highest in 31 years, at its September 17-18 meeting. Higher Japanese rates make yen assets more attractive, strengthening the yen and pushing USDJPY down.

  This is the single biggest new driver this period, directly strengthening the yen.

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  Yen carry trade unwinds as BOJ hawkishness builds The yen surged to 152.89 per dollar, its strongest since February, as investors rushed to close carry trades (borrowing yen to buy higher-yielding assets). Record 360 trillion yen in cross-border borrowing is unwinding, pushing the yen up and USDJPY down.

  Explains the sharp yen strengthening and why it may continue.

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  Japan's record $79.6bn reserve draw funds yen buying Japan's foreign exchange reserves fell by a record $79.6 billion in August after Tokyo spent $98.7 billion buying yen. This massive intervention directly strengthens the yen, though reserves are now limited, which could reduce future intervention power.

  Shows the scale of official yen support and its limits.

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  Bessent's Treasury buybacks and pro-yen stance US Treasury Secretary Bessent announced $6 billion in long-dated bond buybacks to lower yields and declared 'I am the house now' on the yen, coordinating with Japan to support the yen. This pulled USDJPY down from 158.89 to 153.63.

  US policy is actively pushing the yen up, a new and powerful force.

Based on 10 stories →

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  BOJ set to hike to 1.25%, strongest yen driver The Bank of Japan is seriously considering raising its policy rate to 1.25% at its September 17-18 meeting, the highest in about 31 years, with markets now pricing a 98% chance of a hike. Higher Japanese rates make yen assets more attractive, strengthening the yen and pushing USDJPY down.

  This is the single biggest new force this period and directly explains the yen's sharp rise.

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  Waller signals Fed may hold, dollar weakens Fed Governor Waller said the Fed 'can wait one meeting' and should 'give disinflation a chance,' cutting September hike odds from 63% to about 50%. Lower expected US rates reduce the dollar's appeal, weakening the dollar and pushing USDJPY down.

  A new shift in US rate expectations is the other half of the narrowing US-Japan rate gap.

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  Yen jumps past 160 to mid-155 on suspected BOJ intervention The yen surged about 2.5% from 158.5 to 155.4, with analysts pointing to another BOJ intervention after Japan's record 15.4 trillion yen ($98 billion) yen-buying effort. Direct yen buying strengthens the yen and pushes USDJPY down, though intervention effects have faded before.

  A fresh, large intervention-scale move is a direct driver of the rate's sharp drop.

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  Japan 10-year yield hits 3%, but oil and fiscal worries cut both ways Japan's 10-year bond yield reached 3% for the first time in 30 years on BOJ hike bets, drawing money into yen and pushing USDJPY down. But Middle East clashes lifted oil above $96, hurting Japan's import-heavy economy, and a record 36.6 trillion yen debt-servicing budget fuels fiscal worries that can weaken the yen.

  It shows the real counterweight: higher yields support the yen, but oil and fiscal risk work against it.

Based on 10 stories →

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  Japan's record $96bn yen-buying intervention Japan spent a record 15.4 trillion yen ($96.4 billion) between July 30 and August 26 to buy yen and sell dollars, with US support. This directly strengthens the yen and pushes USDJPY down, though the effect fades as investors keep selling yen.

  The record scale of intervention is the biggest new fact shaping the yen's floor and directly answers what is driving USDJPY.

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  Fed Chair Warsh hints at rate hike, dollar jumps to 160 yen Fed Chair Warsh said rates may need to rise to fight inflation, lifting the chance of a September hike to about 58% from 35%. Higher US rates make the dollar more attractive, pushing USDJPY up toward 160.

  This is the newest force pushing the dollar up and explains why USDJPY recovered to 160 despite intervention.

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  BOJ September rate hike expected, narrowing rate gap Markets expect the Bank of Japan to raise rates at its September 18 meeting, with the 10-year Japanese yield near 3%, the highest since the mid-1990s. Higher Japanese rates make the yen more attractive, working against USDJPY rising.

  The BOJ's expected hike is a key counterweight to dollar strength and a main reason USDJPY may not keep climbing.

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  US Treasury buybacks and Bessent's warning cut both ways The US Treasury expanded long-term bond buybacks, pulling US yields down and strengthening the yen to about 158. But Bessent warned disorderly yen moves could raise US rates, keeping the US ready to support the yen again.

  These policy moves show the two-way tug on USDJPY: lower US yields help the yen, while US readiness to intervene caps yen weakness.

Based on 24 stories →

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  Historic US-Japan joint yen-buying intervention Japan and the US jointly bought yen in early August, the first coordinated action since 1998, with Japan possibly spending up to $59 billion in one day. This directly strengthens the yen and pushes USDJPY down, though the effect has faded.

  This is the biggest new force this period, directly pushing USDJPY down.

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  Intervention impact fades; yen slips back After touching 155.23 per dollar, the yen weakened back to around 159.60 as the intervention's effect faded and no further action followed. Japanese investors kept buying foreign bonds, keeping money flowing out of the yen, so the downward push on USDJPY may not last.

  Shows the counterweight: intervention gains are being erased, allowing USDJPY to rise again.

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  Rising long-term yields and fiscal worries support dollar Japan's 10-year yield hit a 30-year high of 2.945% and the US 30-year reached 5.3%, a 19-year high, on concerns about Japan's fiscal situation and higher oil prices. Higher long-term yields pull money into the dollar and out of the yen, pushing USDJPY up.

  This is a new driver this period that supports USDJPY despite intervention.

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  Bessent pushes for coordinated intervention plus BOJ hike Treasury Secretary Bessent, now the most interventionist in decades, wants Japan to combine yen-buying with a BOJ rate hike. A BOJ hike would strengthen the yen, but if the BOJ turns cautious because of weak GDP, yen weakness could gain momentum.

  This new policy stance could either strengthen or weaken the yen, making it a key uncertainty.

Based on 8 stories →

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  Weak US jobs data cuts Fed hike odds, dollar falls July US payrolls unexpectedly fell by 23,000, the first drop in five months, and wage growth slowed. Markets now see only about a 44% chance of a September Fed rate hike, down from 58%. Lower US rate expectations weaken the dollar and strengthen the yen, pushing USDJPY down.

  This is the main new US-side force this period, directly lowering the dollar's appeal versus the yen.

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  BOJ signals possible September rate hike The Bank of Japan may raise rates as early as its September 17-18 meeting, its first hike in three months, as July wholesale prices rose 7.2% and weak yen fuels inflation. Higher Japanese rates make the yen more attractive, strengthening it and pushing USDJPY down.

  A BOJ hike is the biggest new yen-supporting force and a key counterweight to yen weakness.

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  Intervention effect fades; yen slips back past 159 The yen weakened back to about 159 per dollar, erasing a quarter of the gains from the roughly $88 billion joint intervention ten days earlier. Japanese investors kept buying foreign bonds, keeping money flowing out of the yen. This shows the intervention's downward push on USDJPY may not last.

  It shows the earlier intervention is losing force, a real counterweight to the yen-strengthening story.

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  Oil surge and weak yen push long-term yields higher Brent crude jumped 5% to near $90 as the Strait of Hormuz stayed closed, and the yen weakened past 159. Higher oil hurts Japan, which imports almost all its oil, and rising long-term US yields pull money into the dollar, both pushing USDJPY up.

  Oil and yield moves are a fresh upward force on USDJPY this period.

Based on 10 stories →

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  Historic US-Japan joint intervention The US and Japan jointly bought yen in late July and early August, the first coordinated action since 1998. Japan may have spent up to $59 billion in one day. This directly strengthens the yen and pushes USDJPY down.

  This is the dominant new force driving USDJPY lower this period.

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  US Treasury signals more yen buying Treasury Secretary Bessent called the yen 'very undervalued' and said the US will not hesitate to join further intervention. The US also proposed expanding a Fed facility so Japan can get dollars without selling US Treasuries. This keeps pressure on USDJPY.

  It shows official US support for a stronger yen, a key driver of the rate.

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  Weak US jobs data cuts Fed hike odds US payrolls fell by 23,000 in July, far below expectations. Markets now see a 56% chance the Fed holds rates in September, up from 45%. Lower US rate expectations weaken the dollar and push USDJPY down.

  It directly reduces the dollar's yield appeal, a main support for USDJPY.

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  Intervention impact fades; yen slips back The yen has weakened back to 158.45 per dollar after touching 155.23, surrendering nearly half its gains. Analysts see more intervention likely if the yen approaches 160. This shows the downward push may not last.

  It provides a fair counterweight: the intervention's effect is already fading.

Based on 24 stories →

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  Japan's massive yen-buying intervention Japan intervened in New York on July 30, buying yen and selling dollars, possibly up to $59 billion. The yen surged from 163.65 to 157.95 in 50 minutes, its biggest daily gain since 2022. This directly strengthens the yen and pushes USDJPY down.

  This is the single biggest new force this period, directly reversing the yen's weakness.

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  US Treasury signals it may join intervention The US Treasury told banks through the New York Fed it may intervene in the yen market, and Japan and South Korea staged a rare joint intervention with US support. US backing makes the yen-buying effort more powerful and credible, pushing USDJPY down.

  US involvement is a new escalation that amplifies the intervention's impact on USDJPY.

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  Fed holds rates, weak US GDP, dovish tilt The Fed kept rates at 3.50-3.75% for the fifth straight time, with three members wanting a hike. US second-quarter GDP grew only 1.5%, missing forecasts. This reduces the US-Japan rate gap appeal, weakening the dollar and pushing USDJPY down.

  A less hawkish Fed and weak growth remove a key support for the dollar, helping the yen.

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  BOJ keeps door open for faster rate hikes The BOJ held rates at 1% but signaled readiness to hike again, with a professor saying it could move to quarterly hikes if wages stay strong. Higher Japanese rates would make the yen more attractive, working against USDJPY rising.

  BOJ hawkishness is a persistent counterweight to yen weakness, now reinforced by intervention.

Based on 24 stories →

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  Oil spike on Middle East conflict lifts dollar and sinks yen Brent crude topped $100 after Houthi attacks on Saudi tankers and US-Iran strikes. Higher oil raises US inflation expectations, boosting Fed rate-hike bets and dollar demand, while it hurts Japan, which imports almost all its oil. USDJPY rose to near 164, a 40-year high.

  The dominant new force this period pushing USDJPY up.

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  Fed rate-hike odds jump, widening the US-Japan rate gap Markets now price an 83% chance of a September Fed hike, up from about 52% a week earlier, and the US 10-year yield hit 4.70%, its highest since January 2025. Higher US rates pull money into the dollar and out of the low-yielding yen, pushing USDJPY up.

  Core monetary driver of dollar strength versus yen.

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  BOJ signals it may hike faster; Japan warns on intervention The BOJ is reportedly open to raising rates faster than the market expects, and Finance Minister Katayama repeated readiness to act 'decisively' as the yen passed 163. Both strengthen the yen and cap USDJPY, though they have not reversed the uptrend.

  The main counterweight working against further USDJPY gains.

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  Japan fiscal worries and weak trade data add to yen selling DoubleLine warned Japan's unfunded spending risks a UK-style bond revolt, and Japan's June trade deficit widened to ¥406.9 billion as imports hit a record. Both undermine confidence in Japanese assets and the yen, supporting USDJPY.

  New fiscal and trade factors adding downward pressure on the yen.

Based on 24 stories →

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  Japan pension fund overhaul doubts weaken yen A Reuters report said Japan has no immediate plan to change its state pension funds' asset allocations, reducing demand for yen. With less yen buying from Japan's huge pension savings, the yen weakens and USDJPY rises.

  This is a new, specific driver that weakens the yen and pushes USDJPY up.

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  Middle East oil spike and safe-haven dollar demand US-Iran tensions escalated with attacks and a Strait of Hormuz blockade, pushing crude oil up 9%. Investors bought dollars as a safe haven, while higher oil prices hurt Japan's import-heavy economy, both pushing USDJPY higher.

  New escalation this period directly boosts dollar demand and weakens yen via oil.

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  Hawkish Fed comments and rising US yields support dollar Fed officials made hawkish remarks and the US 10-year yield rose to 4.63%, a two-month high. Higher US yields make dollar deposits more attractive, pulling money into the dollar and pushing USDJPY up.

  New hawkish Fed signals and yield spike this period strengthen the dollar.

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  BOJ rate hike expectations and bond-buying talk cap yen weakness Japan's inflation is strong, with about 70% odds of a BOJ rate hike by October. A former BOJ board member said the government may ask the BOJ to buy more bonds if long-term rates exceed 3%, which would weaken the yen, but the hike path supports the yen and limits USDJPY gains.

  This is the main counterweight: BOJ tightening expectations strengthen the yen and cap USDJPY.

Based on 7 stories →

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  US 10-year yield hits 4-week high, supporting dollar The US 10-year Treasury yield rose to 4.58%, a four-week high, after hawkish Fed minutes and rising oil prices. Higher US yields make dollar deposits more attractive, pulling money into the dollar and pushing USDJPY up.

  Directly explains the dollar's yield advantage that keeps USDJPY elevated.

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  Middle East oil spike and safe-haven dollar demand US-Iran tensions escalated with strikes near the Strait of Hormuz, pushing crude oil up 3% and stocks down. Investors bought dollars as a safe haven, while higher oil prices hurt Japan's import-heavy economy, both pushing USDJPY higher.

  New geopolitical shock that boosts dollar demand and weighs on the yen.

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  Japanese 10-year yield hits 29-year high, raising carry-trade costs Japan's 10-year bond yield briefly hit 2.86%, the highest since 1997, as the BOJ trims bond buying and fiscal worries grow. Higher Japanese yields make the yen more attractive to hold and raise the cost of borrowing yen to fund dollar purchases, working against USDJPY rising.

  Key counterweight that could slow or reverse yen weakness.

Based on 7 stories →

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  Fed rate hike bets and wide rate gap push yen to 40-year low Traders fully expect at least one Fed rate hike by year-end, with core inflation at its highest since 2023. Because US rates are far above Japan's, investors borrow yen cheaply to buy dollars, pushing USDJPY up to 162.68.

  This is the main force driving USDJPY higher this period.

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  Weak US jobs report slashes Fed hike odds, yen surges June payrolls added only 57,000 jobs, far below the 110,000 expected. The chance of a September Fed hike fell to 53% from 67%, weakening the dollar and strengthening the yen, with USDJPY dropping to 160.97.

  This is the key new counterweight that reversed the dollar's rise.

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  BOJ signals earlier rate hike as economy strengthens The BOJ's Tankan survey showed business confidence at an eight-year high, and markets now see over 60% odds of a rate hike by October. Higher Japanese rates would make the yen more attractive, working against USDJPY rising.

  This is a new fundamental factor that could strengthen the yen going forward.

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  Japan intervention threat caps yen weakness Japan's finance minister repeatedly warned of bold action as the yen passed 162 per dollar. Traders are on high alert for intervention, and Reuters reported a more aggressive strategy, which limits further USDJPY gains.

  This is a real counterweight that prevents the yen from falling further.

Based on 11 stories →

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  Fed rate hike expectations surge Traders now see a 54% chance of at least two Fed rate hikes by year-end, up from 15% a week ago. Higher US rates make the dollar more attractive to hold, pushing USDJPY up.

  This is the main new force driving the dollar higher against the yen this period.

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  Yen nears 40-year low despite BOJ hike The yen weakened to 161.87 per dollar, just shy of its weakest since 1986, even after the BOJ raised rates to 1%. The rate gap with the US remains wide, keeping the yen weak and USDJPY high.

  Shows the yen's persistent weakness despite BOJ tightening, a key driver of USDJPY.

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  Japan's record yen intervention Japan spent a record ¥11.73 trillion ($73.4 billion) through late May to support the yen, likely selling US Treasuries. This intervention strengthens the yen and works against USDJPY rising, though it hasn't reversed the trend.

  This is a real counterweight that could cap USDJPY gains, important for a balanced view.

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  BOJ official hints at faster rate hikes BOJ board member Naoki Tamura said the central bank should hike rates every few months toward 2%. This signals a tighter Japanese monetary policy ahead, which could strengthen the yen and push USDJPY down.

  A new hawkish BOJ signal that could shift the interest rate gap and yen direction.

Based on 7 stories →

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  Fed turns hawkish under new chair, boosting USD The Federal Reserve, under new chair Kevin Warsh, kept rates steady but signaled it may hike later this year, with nearly half of officials now expecting a hike. This makes the dollar more attractive to hold, strengthening it against the yen and pushing USDJPY higher.

  This is the main new force driving the dollar up and the yen down this period.

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  Bank of Japan raises rates to 1%, highest since 1995 The Bank of Japan raised its policy rate from 0.75% to 1%, the highest since 1995, and will keep reducing bond purchases. Higher Japanese rates make the yen more attractive to hold, which works against USDJPY rising and is a real counterweight to dollar strength.

  This is the main new force supporting the yen and opposing the dollar's rise.

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  Yen carry trade remains heavy despite BOJ hike Even after the BOJ hike, Japanese rates are still far below those in the US, so investors continue borrowing yen cheaply to buy higher-yielding currencies. Leveraged funds hold their largest bearish yen position since 2017, keeping downward pressure on the yen and pushing USDJPY up.

  Explains why the yen stays weak even as the BOJ tightens, a key reason USDJPY keeps rising.

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  Japan warns on yen weakness, intervention risk caps gains Japan's government warned it is ready to act against excessive currency moves as the yen hit a two-year low past 161 per dollar. The threat of intervention can slow or reverse USDJPY's rise, but so far it has only slowed the move, not stopped it.

  This is the main risk that could push USDJPY down and is a real counterweight to the dollar's rise.

Based on 11 stories →