If the headline [CPI] number fails to meet the consensus view, players are likely to rush to unwind huge long positions on the yen which they had built recently on expectations of an early end of the super-loose monetary policy.

308

If the Bank of Japan decides not to end [its present policy] this week, that may create the impression that the Bank of Japan is surrendering to political pressure and add some additional downward pressure to the yen.

216

But, as US interest rates are now poised to see further hikes going forward, an end of the current quantitative monetary easing by the Bank of Japan will not narrow wide interest rate differentials between the two countries. And this interest rate gap should continue to support the dollar.

159

As long as the current upward momentum remains intact, it would not be a surprise if the dollar moves to test the 120-yen level.

121

Any bad trade balance figures could raise speculation that the trade imbalance will be discussed at the forthcoming meeting of G-8 finance ministers.

119

But as the FOMC minutes also indicated that that the US economy still needs additional rate hikes ahead, interest rate differentials will continue to support the greenback.

64