Yen Consolidates as Suzuki Signals No FX Intervention Limit

On Friday, the Japanese Yen (JPY) consolidated following the release of Japanese Foreign Reserves for May by the Ministry of Finance, which showed a significant drop to $1,231 billion from $1,279 billion. This marks the lowest level since February 2023, as the government engaged in foreign exchange intervention operations to support the JPY.

Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki stated that the government will take action against excessive currency volatility as needed and will evaluate the effectiveness of such interventions. Suzuki stressed the importance of maintaining market trust in public finances, noting that there is no fund limit for foreign exchange (FX) intervention, according to Reuters.

Meanwhile, the US Dollar (USD) struggled due to lower-than-expected employment data from the United States. This has increased hopes for two interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve (Fed) in 2024. A Reuters poll conducted from May 31 to June 5 revealed that nearly two-thirds of economists now anticipate an interest rate cut in September. Additionally, the CME FedWatch Tool indicates that the probability of a Fed rate cut in September by at least 25 basis points has risen to nearly 70%, up from 51% a week earlier.

In summary, the Japanese Yen is holding steady as the government continues its efforts to defend the currency through foreign exchange interventions. Finance Minister Suzuki’s commitment to addressing currency volatility and ensuring market confidence underscores the government’s proactive approach. Concurrently, the US Dollar faces downward pressure as expectations grow for the Fed to cut interest rates later this year, influenced by recent employment data. These developments highlight the dynamic nature of global currency markets and the ongoing interplay between monetary policy decisions and economic indicators.