Euro softens against Japanese Yen as traders on alert for possible intervention

The EUR/JPY cross loses ground to around 184.85 during the early European trading hours on Tuesday. The Japanese Yen (JPY) rebounds against the Euro (EUR) as traders on for possible intervention from Japanese authorities. Germany’s Retail Sales and inflation data will be published later in the day.

Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama on Tuesday reiterated the authorities stood ready to respond appropriately at any time. Meanwhile, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said that the Japanese government will work to build an economy less vulnerable to foreign-exchange volatility while remaining prepared to intervene in currency markets if necessary. Kihara also declined to comment on the Japanese Yen’s current level.

"It's a question of when, not if, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) intervenes again to support the yen," said Carol Kong, currency strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

ECB President Christine Lagarde said in a speech opening her institution’s annual retreat on Monday that Europe is becoming less vulnerable to outside shocks thanks to a better financial framework and progress on the green transition. Lagarde emphasized that tensions subside amid a peace deal, which is “far from assured.” Policymakers must decide whether further monetary tightening is needed.

Markets have pared expectations for future ECB rate increases as energy prices retreat. Oxford Economics and Capital Economics expect the ECB won’t raise the interest rates further, though investors are still pricing one more quarter-point move, which would bring the deposit rate to 2.50%.