Driven by expectations of a rate hike by the Bank of Japan, the Japanese yen rose to a six-month high against the US dollar.

Boosted by expectations of faster interest rate hikes from the Bank of Japan and potential capital inflows into Japanese assets, the yen has extended its recent rally against the U.S. dollar. During Tuesday’s Asian trading session, the yen rose to a six-month high against the U.S. dollar, surpassing levels hit in late July when the U.S. and Japan intervened jointly in the foreign exchange market to curb the yen’s weakness. After Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato stated Japan will continue coordinating with the U.S. to ensure market stability, investors remain alert to the possibility of further intervention. Kato said at a Tuesday press conference: “We will maintain close communication with the U.S. Treasury and strive to preserve order in the foreign exchange market. Since the joint currency intervention with the U.S., our policy stance has not changed at all.” Christopher Wong, foreign exchange strategist at Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC) Research Department, noted: “The market has now almost fully priced in a 25-basis-point interest rate hike at next week’s Bank of Japan meeting. Remarks from economic advisor Sanae Takaichi have also driven a shift in rate expectations, with her projecting further tightening after a September rate hike.” (Source: Jin10)