Japan’s trade balance figures support the yen, pushing USD/JPY to 158.90 in early Asian trading for a second day.
The Japanese yen extended gains against the US dollar, with USD/JPY falling to 158.90 in Thursday’s Asian session. The pair’s decline marks a second consecutive day of subdued trading, driven by Japan’s merchandise trade balance data.
Earlier releases showed a narrower-than-expected trade deficit, bolstering demand for the yen. Analysts had anticipated a wider gap, but the print suggested improving external demand for Japanese exports.
Market reaction remained muted, with the pair holding near session lows but lacking follow-through momentum. Traders await further cues from US economic data later in the week.