News and data flow was very light indeed. And movement for major FX was subdued. Traders seem to be content to await, one, the further news on Japanese wage negotiations due Friday, two, the Bank of Japan announcement next Tuesday, the 19th, when hopes are high of an exit from the Bank’s negative short-term interest policy, and three, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) statement and associated projections that follow on the 20th.

USD/JPY ticked a little higher, from lows just under 147.60 to a high just over 147.80. A tiny range. The move correlated with comments made by former Bank of Japan Executive Director Hideo Hayakawa at a gathering in Japan today where he said policy moves after the initial tightening from the Bank would be slow, citing Bank of Japan Governor Ueda’s “very cautious character and his focus on building consensus within the board, he will likely take plenty of time and proceed carefully in normalising policy".

The USD is a little higher elsewhere also, AUD/USD is a notable loser on the session.

Asia-Pacific equity markets were mixed and range-bound.

usdyen wrap chart 14 March 2024 2