Japanese Yen Technical Forecast: USD/JPY Weekly Trade Levels
- USD/JPY has rebounded off 2025 trend support after a sharp selloff from recent highs.
- The threat of Japanese intervention remains elevated at current levels- NFPs on tap
- Risk for price inflection at confluent support- break lower could trigger more significant correction while stabilization here keeps the broader uptrend intact.
- Resistance 157.70, 158.55 (key), 160.22/74- Support 154.79-155.39 (key), 151.95-152.69, 150.18
USD/JPY is rebounding after a sharp decline, with price holding just above a key support zone that could define the near-term outlook. The move comes as traders weigh the growing risk of Japanese intervention, with officials increasingly sensitive to currency weakness at these levels. This dynamic puts bulls in a difficult position, effectively pushing against the threat of further intervention as price attempts to stabilize. The focus now shifts to whether this bounce can extend or if renewed selling pressure emerges under the weight of policy risk. Battle lines are drawn on the USD/JPY weekly technical chart heading into NFPs tomorrow.
Japanese Yen Price Chart – USD/JPY Weekly
Chart Prepared by Michael Boutros, Sr. Technical Strategist; USD/JPY on TradingView
Technical Outlook: In last month’s Japanese Yen Technical Forecast we noted that USD/JPY was consolidating just below confluent resistance, and the focus is on a breakout of the April range for guidance, “with broader bullish invalidation now raised to the 2026 low-week close (LWC) and the 61.8% retracement of the yearly range at 154.79-155.29. Note that basic channel support converges on this level into the monthly cross and losses below this slope would be needed to suggest a more significant high is in place and a larger trend reversal is underway.” The April range broke on the last day of the month with USD/JPY plunging more than 3.5% off the yearly high to briefly register an intraday low at 155.03 before rebounding yesterday.
The focus is on a reaction at this zone which now defines the May opening-range lows. Although the risk of further intervention remains, the near-term short bias may be vulnerable while above 157.79. Watch the weekly close with regards to the yearly open here at 156.67 for guidance.
Initial weekly resistance is eyed at the 2025 high-week close (HWC) at 157.70 and is backed by the 61.8% retracement of the April decline at 158.55. A topside breach / weekly close above this threshold would be needed to suggest a more significant low is in place and a larger reversal is underway towards key resistance at 160.21/74- a region defined by the April 2024 swing high and he 2024 high-week reversal close (HWC). Strength surpassing this region would mark resumption of the broader uptrend.
A break / weekly close below this pivotal support zone would suggest a more significant correction is underway with the first major technical support consideration seen at 151.95-152.69- a region defined by the 2022 & 2023 swing highs, the 52-week moving average, the 61.8% retracement of the yearly range, and the yearly low close. Look for a larger reaction there IF reached.
Bottom line: USD/JPY tested confluent uptrend support this week with the May opening-range taking shape just above. From a trading standpoint, rallies would need to be limited to 158.55 IF price is heading lower on this stretch with a close below 157.79 needed to fuel the next major leg of the decline.
Keep in mind we get the release of U.S. Non-Farm Payrolls tomorrow with CPI on tap next week. Stay nimble into the releases and watch the weekly closes for guidance here. Review my latest Japanese Yen Short-term Outlook for a closer look at the near-term USD/JPY technical trade levels.
USD/JPY Key Economic Data Releases
Economic Calendar - latest economic developments and upcoming event risk.
--- Written by Michael Boutros, Senior Technical Strategist
Follow Michael on X @MBForex
