[MARKET UPDATE] USD/JPY briefly dips below 158 following jawboning by Japan's FinMin Katayama and a report that Reuters sources state that the BoJ could hike rates as soon as April

The brief dip in USD/JPY below 158 indicates that the market is reacting to Japan's FinMin Katayama's jawboning alongside speculation from Reuters about a potential BoJ rate hike in April.

Newsquawk StaffPublished 16 Jan 2026, 03:02 UTCOn the live feed at 02:42 UTC, 20 minutes before this page

Newsquawk headlinesUTC

03:05

[MARKET ANALYSIS] USD/JPY extends on Thursday's losses, briefly dipping below 158 following jawboning and a hawkish report

03:03

Heavy rainfall in northeast Australia has triggered floods that are hampering mine operations, with some coal miners declaring force majeure on portions of their shipments or potential delays to customers

02:42

[MARKET UPDATE] USD/JPY briefly dips below 158 following jawboning by Japan's FinMin Katayama and a report that Reuters sources state that the BoJ could hike rates as soon as April

02:40

BoJ is seen as likely to raise its FY26 economic and inflation forecasts, Reuters reports citing sources; the report adds that some BoJ policymakers see scope to raise interest rates as soon as April due to the inflationary effect of a weaker JPY

02:22

Chinese President Xi meets with Canadian PM Carney, CCTV reports

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Context

This could signal a shift in monetary policy that may strengthen the yen further, depending on the extent of rate changes and market expectations around Japanese economic conditions.

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