Mitsubishi UFJ: Yen Remains Weak as USD/JPY Moves Back Above 160.00

The yen has remained weak at the start of the week, with USD/JPY rebounding above 160.00, Mitsubishi UFJ said. According to Jin10, the bank said markets have now almost fully priced in the possibility that the Bank of Japan will raise interest rates at its June 16 policy meeting, meaning that even if a hike occurs, it is unlikely on its own to trigger a significant reversal in the yen’s weakness. Mitsubishi UFJ added that if the Bank of Japan does not follow up with additional rate increases, markets would likely react more negatively, intensifying investor concerns that the central bank is falling behind in addressing Japan’s inflation risks. Overall, the bank said recent developments have not changed its view that the yen may stay weak in the near term until the most severe phase of the energy price shock begins to fade.