Yen weakens near key level, raising speculation of Japanese intervention

The Japanese yen slipped closer to a level that has historically triggered government action, reigniting speculation that Tokyo might step into currency markets again. The 160-per-dollar threshold has functioned as something of a red line for Japanese authorities. Japan has already demonstrated a remarkable willingness to spend big this year, with total currency intervention outlays exceeding $100 billion by mid-2026. A currency under persistent pressure The yen’s troubles have been building for months, driven largely by the stubborn interest rate gap between the US and Japan. While the Federal Reserve has maintained relatively elevated rates, the Bank of Japan has moved cautiously, leaving yield-seeking capital flowing toward dollar-denominated assets. The low point came on July 28, when the yen hit 163.73 per dollar. That marked a nearly 40-year trough for the currency. What followed was notable. Japan and the United States executed a joint yen-buying intervention, the first coordinated effort between the two countries since 1998. The move worked, at least temporarily. The yen strengthened to roughly the 155-157 range against the dollar, its firmest levels in three months. Earlie...