The EUR/JPY pair fell to nearly 161.00 on heightened market speculation following the Bank of Japan’s (BoJ) latest policy stance. The BoJ left interest rates unchanged but hinted at the possibility of future rate hikes, adding a hawkish tilt to its monetary outlook that caught markets off guard.
This shift has strengthened the yen, pushing it higher against the euro as investors recalibrate expectations for Japanese monetary policy. The euro’s weakness also reflects broader concerns about slowing economic momentum in the Eurozone, compounded by uncertainty surrounding future European Central Bank actions.
The BoJ’s subtle move toward tightening contrasts with years of ultra-loose monetary policy, signaling potential changes in Japan’s economic strategy. Analysts believe this stance could bolster the yen further in the short term, especially as global central banks continue to address inflation pressures.
With EUR/JPY under pressure, traders will focus on upcoming economic data and central bank speeches for clarity. While the BoJ’s shift has injected volatility into the pair, sustained downside momentum will depend on whether Japan follows through with rate adjustments in the near term.